The Context
77% of all Afghans live in rural communities and around 85% of the population is reliant on income from agriculture, livestock and related production. However, agriculture is under-developed, often yielding sufficient only to provide for subsistence.
Population growth of 2.7% negates potential economic benefits. Weak markets and a production base founded on poorly resourced agriculture are insufficient to create jobs for the 320,000 youth who enter the job market annually.
Key Challenge
In 2020-2021, unemployment was estimated to be 11.20 percent, but by 2022 it had risen to 25 percent. National poverty rates have risen from 70% to over 97%.
Strategic Objectives
1. Women & Youth Employment
Support women and youth to establish self-help groups, savings and loans groups (CBOs), and provide vocational skills training and start-up capital.
2. Diversified Income for Farmers
Facilitate community-level cooperatives, provide technical training in agriculture/horticulture, and distribute farming inputs like improved seeds and tools.
