April 9, 2007, New York, NY – The Global Partnership for Afghanistan(GPFA) has appointed a new Executive Director, Iqbal R. Kermali, PhD, formerly Program Director of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation.
"Dr. Kermali comes to the Global Partnership for Afghanistan at a time when our program to plant trees for improved livelihoods in Afghanistan is dramatically expanding in both scope and reach," said Dana Freyer, Co-Chair of the Global Partnership for Afghanistan. "He brings substantial experience in agriculture, natural resource management and rural development in Afghanistan and other developing countries. These skills are essential to the long-term future of Afghanistan and GPFA."
GPFA is a people-to-people, capacity-building, not-for-profit organization that helps rural Afghan families restore their fruit and nut orchards, woodlots, vineyards, nurseries and family gardens. To date, hundreds of families have revitalized their farm businesses, each with the potential to grow as farmers increase their skills and produce fruit, vegetables and wood that match market demands.
In March, Dr. Kermali joined with GPFA's staff of Afghan agriculturalists in launching a program to help farmers in four provinces create their own orchard and woodlot businesses. Over several weeks, he met with farmers, village and district leaders to lay the groundwork for GPFA's spring planting season and see first-hand the impact of GPFA on the lives of farmers and their families.
"Compared to four years ago, farmers are now investing their precious resources in long term activities such as planting trees which will take several years to generate returns," said Dr. Kermali. "This is a strong statement of their confidence in the changes that are occurring. After three decades of displacement and suffering due to conflicts and natural disasters, people in rural communities are seeing hope for their livelihoods. GPFA and its funding partners are providing a supporting hand to these farmers in their quest for a better future."
This year GPFA helped farmers plant more than 500,000 poplar cuttings, creating the basis for tree businesses that will provide a continuing source of income which rivals poppies and will also provide significant trickle-down benefits to the small, war-torn villages in four provinces.
By the end of 2007, GPFA's programs will have generated nearly a million trees, largely planted in farmer-owned orchards, nurseries and woodlots. By 2008, GPFA's planting activities are projected to yield 1.5 million new trees, producing increased food, environmental and health benefits, and in time income that rivals the profit from poppies.
Prior to his position as Program Director of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation, Dr. Kermali was Manager of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture for the Aga Khan Foundation in Afghanistan. His focus was agricultural livelihood development, including crop production, animal husbandry, vegetable production, agro-forestry, land and water management, agro-enterprises, agriculture extension and natural resource management.
Previously, he served as Senior Program Officer for the Afghan program of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation where he developed agricultural projects for humanitarian relief and rehabilitation. He also served as Executive Officer for Focus in London, coordinating activities with Focus units in Europe, Canada and the US for programs in vulnerable areas of Afghanistan and other countries. He was also a Plant Genetic Resources Analyst for the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations in Rome.
He holds PhD and MSc degrees from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada as well as an MSc degree from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and a BSc degree from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.