Herat (UNA) – The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), with the generous support of the Government of Kazakhstan and in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), has officially launched the project “Development of Wheat Farming for Sustainable Development in Western Afghanistan”.
This important project focuses on Zandeh Jan province, an area severely affected by last year’s earthquake, and targets 300 farmers, including 45 women.
The project aims to increase wheat production and enhance food security in the region by distributing 15 metric tons of improved Shont wheat seeds, 15 metric tons of DAP fertilizer, and 30 metric tons of urea fertilizer. Essential agricultural equipment, including two tractors, four ploughs, two trailers, two winnowing machines, and two harvesters, was also provided to enhance agricultural mechanization and improve wheat cultivation ahead of the 4 planting season.
This intervention comes as part of the Afghanistan Food Security Programme (AFSP), which was launched as a key outcome of the 18th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan, held on 19-2021 December XNUMX in Islamabad, Pakistan.
A resolution was adopted, among other tasks, mandating the Islamic Organization for Food Security to take the necessary measures to implement this programme. The Council also encouraged OIC Member States, international donors, UN funds and programmes, and other international actors to contribute generously to the Afghanistan Food Security Programme.
The project launch ceremony in Herat was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including the Consul General of Turkey in Herat, Dr. Sinan Ilhan; TIKA Program Coordinator in Herat, Mr. Arafat Deniz; Mr. Arman Yesentayev, President of the Kazakh Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan; as well as senior officials from the Herat Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. Representatives from Kabul, including Mr. Emre Yuksek, Director of Humanitarian Operations at the Islamic Organization for Food Security, were also present.
The project beneficiaries expressed their gratitude before the planting season, and Dr. Ilhan emphasized the importance of the joint initiative between Kazakhstan, TIKA and IOFS.
He called for more cooperation from other Islamic countries to promote solidarity and sustainable development across the region.
Mr. Deniz pointed out TIKA’s commitment to responding to the real needs of local farming communities through direct engagement and continuous follow-up to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.
Mr. Yuksek emphasized that this initiative is a milestone in replicating the wheat value chain model in other provinces of Afghanistan.
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