Objective

The project aims for seed enterprises in several provinces in Afghanistan to be able to produce and sell diversified certified seed of staple crops on a sustainable basis. It also endeavours to significantly increase the number of farmers that buy certified seed at prices that will enable the private enterprises to function and remain in business. The goal is to contribute to higher food security in Afghanistan by raising the productivity of wheat as the priority crop and other major food crops.
The immediate objective is to accelerate certified seed production for wheat and other major food crops.

Activities

To achieve Output 1, the project will undertake the following activities: Needs assessment of the existing seed enterprises and definition of eligibility criteria and conditions for support (this may include the preparation of business plans, co-financing by the enterprises, commitment to social responsibility, commercial prospects for seed in the area and other criteria to be defined at the beginning of the project implementation). On the basis of those criteria, the project will engage in:  

- Repair and maintenance of seed cleaning equipment and storage facilities as appropriate;
- Ordering essential farm machinery and seed equipment (seed cleaners, seed drills and tractor) to upgrade selected enterprises;
- Making contracts and constructing storage/office facilities for selected enterprises; and
- Installing seed cleaning equipment and commencing processing operations.

The project will support seed enterprises on the basis of a needs assessment and after approval by the project's Steering Committee of eligibility criteria and conditions for support. This will involve a critical assessment of the current status and performance of specific enterprises and the improvements needed for each. The focus will be on improving productive efficiency through appropriate mechanization both at farm and post-harvest levels. Essential machinery/equipment could comprise seed cleaning and packaging lines, storage facilities, mini combine harvesters, seed drills and tractors. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring full cost-recovery in seed pricing, thus enabling the enterprises to function on a fully commercial basis in the future.  

To achieve Output 2, the project will undertake the following activities:
- Hold community level consultations in different provinces to select potential new enterprises; selection criteria will be similar as for existing enterprises with an increased attention to needs and market potential.
- Identify, select and make contracts and construct storage/office facilities for the selected enterprises.
- Provide equipment and other support based on selected eligibility criteria and conditions
New enterprises established and strengthened for certified seed production, processing and storage

To achieve Output 3, the project will undertake the following activities:
- Order suitable machinery and equipment for seed diversification and other related businesses;
- Make contracts and construct necessary facilities for selected enterprises; and
- Install machinery and equipment and commence operations.
Since it is difficult for private enterprises to survive and make a long-term profitable seed business from a self-pollinating crop such as wheat, some alternative business opportunities must be sought in addition to the core wheat operation. This would include diversification into seed of other high-value crops. Enterprises already producing seed of other crops but lacking proper seed cleaning and packaging facilities to make their products attractive and competitive could benefit from modern multi-crop seed conditioning and packaging lines.

To achieve Output 4, the project will undertake specific training activities to strengthen the capacity of the seed enterprises, particularly in the area of business management and market exploration. The following types of training will be undertaken:
- One external study tour each year to enable selected enterprises to exchange knowledge and ideas with more developed private seed sectors in the region;
- Farmers’ field days to create awareness in farming communities; and
- In-country study tours/travelling workshops for selected stakeholders.

To achieve Output 5, the support including institutional and policy assistance will be provided
- training
- equipment and facilities
- operations (including transport and communications)

Outputs

Output 1: Existing certified seed enterprises Capacity of existing enterprises improved for processing and storing certified seed
Output 2: New certified seed enterprises
Output 3: Crop diversification and Capacity of enterprises strengthened for producing seed of other crops
Output 4: Technical and business management capacity; Technical and business management capacity of entrepreneurs enhanced for efficient and effective certified seed production and marketing
Output 5: Breeder-foundation seed production and seed quality control enhancement.
ARIA for breeder seed production, ISE for foundation seed production and the seed quality control-certification service.

The immediate beneficiaries of the project will be community-based seed enterprises and associated contract farmers throughout Afghanistan that will be able to produce and sell certified seed, farmers benefiting from extension, various services and institutions. The final beneficiaries will be small-scale / vulnerable farmers who will have access to certified seed, which will increase their crop productivity and lead to greater food security and higher income levels.