OVERVIEW

The objective of the five-year AGRED program is to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and the Directorates of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAILs) at provincial and district levels. The aim is to sustainably develop and deploy technology and knowledge-based solutions, and provide extension and advisory services to Afghan farmers and herders.

PROGRESS TO DATE

• Working with MAIL, USAID has drafted a performance based benchmark system for on-budget funding. This system is designed to assist MAIL in making institutional and sustainable improvements to systems involved in research and extension services.
• Established AGRED technical working group consisting of different MAIL directorates. The Technical Working Group has drafted the AGRED Implementation plan which describes how MAIL, with AGRED assistance, will meet these performance benchmarks.
• MAIL and USAID have signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining areas of cooperation and levels of effort.
• The majority of key Field and Headquarters staff and Technical Assistance personnel have been deployed to target areas.
• Inspections of the seven key regional research centers and a majority of the target district facilities have been completed to obtain firsthand knowledge of current conditions and capabilities.