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Abstract

Estimates suggest that 8 million Afghan households are dependent on incomes derived from crop production and livestock rearing. Livestock provide a source of income and nutrition, as well as an economic asset which can be sold in time of dire need. Shortage of forage (quality and quantity) limits animal productivity and introduces economic risk to the household, particularly over cold winter months. Lack of quality seed of improved forage varieties, poorly functioning seed and fodder markets, and biased national policy towards production of strategic food crops constrains economic incentives for sustainable forage production and marketing. In line with these concerns, one key objective of this initiative is to develop economically viable and sustainable forage production systems in order to reduce winter feed gaps within the water constrained provinces of Baghlan and Nangarhar. A second is to enhance national uptake of research outputs through more effective linkages between national and international research systems and pluralistic (public, private, civil society) input, marketing and service providers. In recognizing that women play important roles within integrated crop and livestock production systems, we pay attention to equitable access to knowledge, public and private services in the development of forage production systems which are socially sustainable.