Beneficiaries dote on NHLP, want it expanded

KABUL and Livestock and have demanded its expansion.

The ministry launched the National Horticulture and Livestock Project (NHLP) in 2007 and is still ongoing.

The development objective of the project is to promote adoption of improved production practices by target farmers, with gradual rollout of farmer-centric agricultural services systems and investment support.

Kitchen gardening and prevention of plant and animal diseases and natural disasters, management of irrigation system and finding markets for agriculture and dairy products are objectives of the project, which is being implemented in 22 provinces.

Under the scheme, so far orchards of various fruits including almond, apple, grapes, apricot, pomegranates, lemon, and others have been established on more than 27,500 acres of land and on 1,750 acres of barren land across the country.

A resident of Nasro village in the Bagram district of central Parwan province, Abdul Qadir, told Pajhwok Afghan News he had attended an essential training in gardening arranged by the Ministry of Agriculture five years ago.

On completing the training, he recalled, he was given saplings of apricot, apple and peach, a quantity of chemical fertiliser and some gardening tools. The assistance enabled him to have his own orchard now, he said.

“This is a good project. I own 234 trees of various fruits and this year I sold 2240 kilograms of fruits,” he said, but said nothing about income.

He said if the programme was expanded, more people would benefit from it and their economy would improve.

Abdul Aqa, a resident of Bayan area on the outskirts of Charikar, said the NHLP had been beneficial. However, he said he was yet to benefit from the scheme, which he urged should be expanded.

Agriculture Ministry officials responsible for the project say so far 40000 women have benefited from the project in rural areas.

A resident of northern Samangan province, Sajida, said she had benefited from the scheme.

The 35-years-old said it was few days ago when she obtained vegetable seeds and plastic sheet and metal wires for establishing a greenhouse.

She said he had also received necessary training how to grow plants in the greenhouse. She said she was able to meet some needs of her family.

Another female, Noria, said her spouse run a shop of vegetable she grew in their greenhouse, which they had established with assistance under the NHLP.

Agriculture Ministry officials say the project’s livestock section has been working in 29 provinces in areas of animal diseases, raising chickens, and expansion of poultry farms.

They say anti- brucellosis disease vaccine was given to 2.5 million household animals this year and last year across the country.

A Parwan resident, Fatima, said she had received 20 hens, some food for the birds and essential protection tools, as well as a training in this regard under the project six months ago.

“This is very good programme. I have so far sold many chickens and eggs, which we use as food at home as well. Now I have 60 chickens. I am happy I can support my family,” she said.

All those interviewed by Pajhwok called for the project to be further expanded. The officials concerned also said the project is being expanded. It will be implemented across the country until 2018.

The project was honoured by the Kabul Governor’s House two days ago. In its appreciation letter, the governor’s house said a large number of farmers and livestock owners had benefited from the scheme, which brought positive changes to their lives.

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