Introduction:
Project Name: Support to Afghanistan Private Sector Horticultural Development Transition Project
Donor: European Commission (EC)
Start Date: August, 2012
End Date: August, 2015
Overall Objectives:
The perennial horticulture industry increases its positive contribution to rural livelihoods. The private sector perennial horticulture (fruits & nuts) industry profitably exploits markets at home and abroad with a range of fresh and added value fruit and nut products that meets market demands of quantity and quality, and leverages the natural advantages of the favorable Afghanistan climate for production of fruits and nuts.
Description:
Establishing a permanent organisation structure for the Afghanistan National Horticultural Development Organisation (ANHDO) as the apex private sector horticultural development organisation, and developing the services that that organisation will be in a position to provide to the horticultural industry of Afghanistan. MOU with MoAIL, endorsement of role of partner and custodian of the National Collection.
Provided specialist technical assistance on quality standards and quality control laboratory tests to the EPA Laboratory of the Ministry of Commerce and to two private fruit processing companies (see ANHDO report on Post Harvest Value chain Analysis, February 2013.
ANHDO is developed and is functioning as an apex organisation for the development of the private sector horticulture industry.
Regular board meetings, Annual general meetings, Reports to Ministry of Economy, Memorandum of understanding made with MAIL, Memorandum of understanding with Technical Assistance, Recruitment of staff from PHDP2, Recruitment of additional staff from outside PHDP2, Training of ANHDO board on legal responsibilities, Coordination with member associations and other industry interest groups, Preparation of accounts: set up QuickBooks accounting system and training bookkeeping staff, Development of work plans/reporting system, Running PHD Centres after 2012.
The level of investment in the horticulture industry is set at an increasing level to provide greater impact on rural livelihoods: Collate information on varieties, cultural information, Produce manuals, catalogues and guides, Initiate and coordinate programmes for training in orchard management, Report on new methods and systems, Organise test marketing of improved varieties, Develop marketing surveys, Report on market opportunities, Organise shows, exhibitions on own initiative or with partners, Coordinate with donors and investors on horticultural investment opportunities.
The technical standards of the horticulture industry are set at a level consistent with developing export markets and import substitution: Procurement of packing materials, coordination with suppliers, investigations of costs, testing with selected crops, Training of fruit laboratory technicians, testing methods on samples provided by participating growers & traders for fresh fruits tested in storage and simulated transport systems, Additional training of fruit laboratory technicians on processing of fruit in conjunction with interested parties, looking at application of proven techniques from abroad, testing and devising protocols, Coordination with relevant industry groups and organisations, publication and dissemination of results, development of standards and improvements where practicable, testing marketability of improved products.
