- Overview [1]
- Country Strategy [2]
- Priorities [3]
- Key Program Managers [4]
- Current Projects [5]
- Concluded Projects [6]
- Achievements [7]
- Relevant Publications [8]
- Country News and Stories [9]
- AusAid and Other Briefs [10]
- Fellowship Statistics [11]
Achievements
Key indicators and performance for 2007-08
Indicator: Dissemination of promising wheat and maize varieties and further training of Afghan scientists and NGOs
Performance: From wheat and maize introductions, three wheats have been released. In-service training was provided for 25 Afghani scientists at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). All but one of these remain with their sponsoring institutions.
Achievements from the 2006-07 Annual Report
During 2004–07 CIMMYT, through its country office in Kabul, implemented a joint AusAID–ACIAR-funded project with the overall aim of achieving a sustained increase in wheat and maize production and productivity in Afghanistan through research, training and technical interactions. The project operated and delivered outcomes in an environment that continues to present logistical and security challenges. In particular, the project successfully developed networks with a number of organisations operating in Afghanistan and leveraged considerable extra resources to help fulfil the aims of this important project.
The Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock is committed to rebuilding agriculture in Afghanistan and has developed an Agriculture Master Plan which places a strong emphasis on cropping and capacity-building. In line with that Plan, a new project is focusing on the introduction and screening of new wheat lines with a particular emphasis on resistance to yellow rust and stem rust (including Ug99). It is also supporting the release of new high-yielding varieties and the production and dissemination of quality breeder seed. It especially seeks to gain more knowledge of agro-ecological wheat production zones in Afghanistan in order to better target the new varieties so that they meet the needs of farmers and consumers in these different zones.
Afghanistan is also involved in the ACIAR-supported activities at CIMMYT, ICARDA and PBIC-Sydney University to ensure productivity and food security through sustainable control of wheat yellow rust in Asia.