GPFA Launches Reforestation Initiatives in Afghanistan: More than 11,000 Trees Planted

March 23, 2004, Guldara District, Afghanistan – The Global Partnership for Afghanistan (GPFA) announced the completion of the first phase of its initiatives to replant Afghanistan’s orchards and vineyards. During a three week visit to Afghanistan, GPFA representatives and its team of five Afghans worked with local farmers to plant some 11,000 apple, peach, plum and pear trees as well as an experimental plot of fast-growing hybrid poplars.

“The generous financial support of GPFA donors has enabled farmers to restore vital backyard orchards and to dream, once again, of providing a future for their families,” Dana Freyer, GPFA co-Chair and founder.

Highlights of the program launch include:

• Family fruit orchards: Sixty-eight families enrolled in GPFA’s orchard renewal program, which was carefully negotiated over many sessions with the village leadership or Shura. “Our modest offer of help – a four-year loan for trees and inputs augmented by field visits from a trained agronomist,” said Ms. Freyer, “seemed to breathe life into a region deeply scarred by the front lines of battle. Barren fields were quickly dotted with workers of all ages, and within ten days 3,500 fruit trees were planted including a prized local apple variety. The focus and hard work of these farmers was inspiring.”

 

• Nurseries: Quality planting stock is in short supply throughout Afghanistan, almost derailing GPFA’s launch this year. To ensure a supply of trees for future orchards, GPFA established a small nursery plot of 7,500 seedlings. A second experimental plot with ultra fast-growing poplars imported from the U.S. heralds great potential as a source of needed timber and poles.

 

• Local team and Kabul office: GPFA also built a team of local Afghan agricultural extensionists and experts in agronomy and community development. This staff will enable GPFA to reach many farmers in new villages. “With our team of trained Afghans working at the ground level, farmer-to-farmer, GPFA will help bridge the knowledge gap left from two decades of war and destruction,” said Prof. M. Ishaq Nadiri, GPFA Co-Chair and founder. “We are deeply appreciative of their talent, creativity and sheer drive to renew farmer livelihoods.”

“We also opened an office, deepened our network of advisors, and expanded our circle of collaborating NGOs,” said Prof. Nadiri. “Now, we are working hard to widen support at home to further help farmers in Guldara and other parts of the Shamali Valley and Afghanistan.”

The Global Partnership for Afghanistan is a people-to-people, capacity-building organization formed in November 2001. GPFA works to help rural Afghans revive and rehabilitate their fruit and nut orchards, vineyards, croplands and forests, thereby generating food, jobs, income, capacity, and environmental and health benefits.