Stress tolerant wheat and maize for Afghanistan: Seeds of strength

• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Afghanistan

Afghanistan, with 25 million people, has only approximately 3.7 million hectares of cropland. Despite most of the population being engaged in agriculture, the country has only just managed food self-sufficiency in the best of recent times. Afghanistan is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Food production fell by more than 50 per cent between 2000 and 2001, the legacy of war, drought and the destruction of irrigation and other infrastructure. Critical seed stocks have been depleted. The result is a nation that relies heavily on food aid from international donors. Autumn-planted wheat is the main crop (70 per cent of the crop area) while summer maize occupies about 10 per cent.

The project provided short- to medium-term support to wheat and maize production in Afghanistan, achieved principally through the immediate importation of seed of suitable cultivars, the establishment of on-farm participatory testing of the imported seed to identify the best adapted cultivars, then local multiplication and distribution of improved cultivars. A project focus was examining yellow rust resistance in wheat and to promoting improved agronomy along with improved cultivars. The project was undertaken through a CIMMYT scientist based in Kabul working closely with major NGOs and State scientists. CIMMYT wheat and maize scientists based in West Asia also provided backup.

The project aimed to improve maize and wheat production in Afghanistan. In particular, the project focused on providing small farmers with new cultivars and the seed of improved varieties of wheat.

Researchers identified germplasm suited to Afghan conditions, particularly for bread wheat varieties from neighbouring countries such as Iran. These were multiplied from varieties known to be well suited Afghan conditions and likely to be accepted by Afghan farmers, who were also involved in the build-up of seed and in variety selection.

The project team used social and agricultural data to identify the most appropriate areas for assistance. With the involvement of the Future Harvest Consortium and World Vision they surveyed farmers to identify current problems and ways to improve rural livelihoods. The results were presented at a workshop as part of developing a detailed strategic work plan for each target region.

On-farm experiments ensured the most appropriate varieties were chosen for local conditions and that their cultivation was feasible, cost-efficient and sustainable. The project utilised farmer expertise for planting and harvest, using traditional methods with improved cultivars and inputs. Demonstration plots showcased progressive technologies and new varieties, along with field days and training seminars conducted during the growing season. NGOs worked directly with farmers to encourage them to use seed of improved varieties and to apply fertiliser at the most appropriate rate and times.

Researchers in Australia worked to develop strategies to maintain the durable and sustainable use of genetic resistance to Yellow rust. Research centres in Australia and Mexico holding cereal land races and bread wheat germplasm collected more than 25 years ago began screening these collections for future evaluation by Afghan farmers.

The project met the immediate goal of identifying suitable varieties of wheat and maize. Using varieties collected and trialled over the past two decades, CIMMYT procured 300 tonnes of wheat seed and 2.5 tonnes of maize seed suitable for Afghan conditions. These were delivered in time for the planting season. Importantly this delivery of suitable maize and wheat restored farmers' confidence in both growing crop varieties and in CIMMYT and the project team members.
Once planted, the wheat was evaluated, both on-farm and on-station. Quantitative data on yield was combined with farmers' qualitative assessments to help identify suitable varieties for wider release. The first of these releases, the bread wheat Sohl 2 (Sohl meaning peace) was released in 2003. Yields of Sohl 2 averaged 50 per cent above those of existing varieties, this yield bonus quickly being passed along farmer networks. Seed multiplication schemes, both formal and informal, helped match this growing demand for the new variety.
Good maize varieties were also identified after on-farm and on-station trials and evaluation. Participatory variety selection trials for maize were conducted to provide farmers with the means of assessing cultivars themselves. During the first year of operation it became clear to the project team that Afghani scientists also needed training and this was added into the project activities.
The Ministry of Agriculture entered into an agreement to identify scientists for training, with the scientists agreeing to continue to work for their then employer for another two years after completing this training. A total of 15 scientists received training, beginning with language skills followed by international courses in relevant areas of breeding and crop evaluation. Importantly many also built networks with relevant international agencies. In-country Ministry of Agriculture staff received a variety of on-farm training including learning diagnostic survey skills of yield limiting factors.
Research into wheat rust and evaluating Afghan cereal landraces held in Australia and at CIMMYT was limited by the local conditions (drought in Afghanistan) and a lack of scientific capacity. The capacity building undertaken in the project has established a small, but important, platform of knowledge and skills to support future research in both these areas. International trials and nurseries of crop varieties established both through and outside the project are also being supported by this capacity building. In 2002-03, 35 variety trials and wheat nurseries were established at 6 sites and by the 2003-04 growing season 15 trial sites were up and running. The Darul Aman Research Station near Kabul is now hosting wheat germplasm nurseries and wheat trials.