Livestock and integrated production programme

Poultry production
Chickens and eggs are a vital source of protein and income. Most production is still from village hens, but large quantities of products for the urban population are also imported from Pakistan.

FAO has developed two important programmes - semi-commercial poultry production in peri-urban areas, and backyard poultry production to help private sector development and boost food security for vulnerable groups.

Semi-commercial poultry farmers in Kabul and Jalalabad cities have established two Poultry Farmers' Associations (PFA) to ensure regular supplies of vaccines, mixed feed and pullets to its members. The PFA in Kabul has not only developed production for the general public, but is also the main supplier of inputs to the backyard poultry production schemes.

The backyard poultry production programme involves the training and support of over 5000 women including widows and those caring for disabled husbands, who raise chicks in their compounds in the provinces of Badakhshan, Balkh, Kabul, Kandahar, Logar and Nangarhar.

The programme identifies a woman trainer for each community, integrating women's skills into long-term development. For six months the women meet three times a week and then receive a starter pack of ten high-yielding hens, material to make a coop, 10kg of feed and vaccines.