Publications
Summary of publication
This review assess outcomes of the DFAT funded, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) managed Afghanistan Agriculture Research for Development program (AR4D, 2012-2018, $17.74 million). The program was implemented by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). It was comprised of three research activities covering wheat and maize production; water resource management; and livestock forage resources management.
The program was well aligned with Afghan dry land farming and water resource management policies. Australia's leadership in these sectors was highly appreciated by the Afghan Government. The review finds that the Ministry for Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has improved their research capacity, in particular their capacity to maintain a program of crop variety testing across Afghanistan's agro-climatic zones. The program has also created an institutional recognition within MAIL of the value in implementing an Integrated Catchment Management approach. A key result is the release of 30 new, disease resistant, high performing crop and forage varieties. The review found that integration of the three projects under AR4D did not occur to the extent expected and the evidence of adoption and uptake of ideas tested and piloted by the program shows mixed results. The review process was managed by ACIAR.