On May 17-19, 2008 representatives from various international and Afghan implementing agencies attended a GL-CRSP-sponsored Afghan Livestock Workshop organized by the Advancing Afghan Agriculture Alliance (A4).  The workshop, held in Kabul, Afghanistan, focused on harnessing the collective experiences of the different organizations to identify key priorities in their activities, explore possibilities for program collaborations, and to develop strategies for raising livestock awareness at the producer, ministerial and donor levels. Participants identified four program areas that offer opportunities to raise livestock sector growth: 1) capacity building; 2) information for analysis, decision-making, and policies; 3) value-chain development; and 4) advocacy – to raise the profile of livestock production in Afghanistan as a critical economic activity affecting the livelihoods of most rural families. An Integrated Livestock Development Approach was designed as a result of this workshop. It was agreed that a committee be formed to provide leadership in engaging all actors in the livestock sector, including senior planners in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL). Advisors to Afghanistan’s new Minister have since been briefed on many of the workshop conclusions, and the information will be relayed to the Minister.

Documents related to the workshop are available for download by clicking on the links below.

Synthesizing Research and Program Activity in Afghanistan's Livestock Sector, distributed prior to the livestock workshop

Livestock Workshop Summary Report, summing up the activities, conclusions and strategies developed during the workshop

Livestock Workshop Full Report, providing a more detailed account of the workshop activities, conclusions and strategies developed

To read about other GL-CRSP efforts with our partners working in Afghanistan, please visit the Afghan PEACE project's webpage.