“An Afghanistan of green valleys and abundant food . . . of proud and prosperous farmers and bazaars full of its agricultural bounty.” That was the vision set forth by U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry in announcing a new program to help develop Afghanistan’s agricultural sector.
The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, is the Capacity Building and Change Management Program for the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL). ICMA is a member of a team that will support the ministry as it implements internal changes.
The development of the agricultural sector in Afghanistan is viewed as a critical element in restoring the country’s stability and sustainability. Agriculture provides a livelihood for 80 percent of the population, but Afghanistan’s agricultural base has been eroded by years of war and internal conflict.
At the same time, the ministry that has oversight responsibilities (MAIL) has been unable to facilitate the restoration of the agricultural sector, due to lack of direction, coordination, and investment.
Starting in 2008, agricultural development became the focus of particular attention by the governments of the United States and Afghanistan. The U.S. government developed a new Agricultural Assistance Strategy for Afghanistan, and MAIL launched a new National Agricultural Development Framework. In addition, President Karzai appointed a new minister who has demonstrated a commitment to change in response to public perceptions that the ministry is out of touch with its rural constituency.
To assist MAIL in its efforts to increase its effectiveness, USDA awarded $36 million to the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA). ICMA, a VEGA member, will receive $6 million as part of a team headed by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC). Other team members are Land O’Lakes (also a VEGA member) and the Institute of International Education (IIE).
The overall objective of the four-year change management program is to support the leadership and directorates, or departments, of the ministry as they implement institutional reforms that will improve the ministry’s ability to effectively plan and administer agricultural programs in Afghanistan. Like other U.S. government funded programs in Afghanistan, it is designed to be “owned” by Afghans.
The IESC team has the following primary objectives:
- Improve the capacity of the directorates responsible for finance and accounting, procurement and contracts, administrative services and facilities management, and human resources
- Work with MAIL’s professional staff to develop and implement robust, transparent, and sustainable processes and practices
- Work side-by-side with and train managers and technical personnel at all levels in MAIL to raise the level of their professional skills and to instill a culture based on performance and merit.
ICMA’s primary role is to help achieve the second objective through the following activities, each undertaken with input from relevant stakeholders:
- Build staff capacity within the directorates responsible for research, extension services, private sector development, plant and livestock protection and quarantine, forestry management, and policy and programming relating to Kuchis (a large group of nomadic Afghan residents)
- Strengthen internal and external organizational communications
- Develop organizational skills in leadership, general management and supervision, and project management.
In implementing the program, ICMA will draw on its expertise in assessment, training, performance measurement, and organizational capacity building and its experience implementing the Afghanistan Municipal Strengthening Program, the Commercialization of Afghanistan Water and Sanitation Activity (CAWSA) Program, and earlier activities in the country.
For additional information, visit the Afghanistan section of the ICMA International website or the International Development topic area of the Knowledge Network or contact international@icma.org.