Ali's Thriving Venture: A Profitable Dairy Product Propels his Financial Success
Abdul Ali, a 31-year-old resident of the Tagab district in Kapisa province, once plagued by insecurity and long-standing military conflicts over the past two decades, has experienced significant hardships. These conflicts have resulted in immense financial and human losses, severely limiting the district's access to essential services and conveniences. The consequences of war have forced numerous households in Tagab to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas. With agriculture and livestock serving as the primary sources of income for the Tagab district, the consecutive years of drought and water scarcity have rendered agricultural lands uncultivable. The dire circumstances faced by the affected households, who heavily rely on these vulnerable livelihood resources, call for immediate support to improve their unfavorable living conditions.
Abdul Ali completed his twelfth-grade education, and he has a compelling account of the hardships endured during the wars. He shares, "For the past two decades, the area we reside in has transformed into a war zone. Throughout this period, my family and I have faced immense challenges, including financial struggles and the constant threat to our lives. Despite the difficulties, I managed to complete my schooling, but pursuing higher education became unattainable due to the combination of financial constraints and the ongoing conflicts."
Abdul Ali is a father of four children, three daughters aged 5, 6, and 7, and a three-year-old son. He tells, "I am the sole provider for my family, with no external sources of income or employment. Our livelihood depends solely on the meager resources we have, such as a 4-acre plot of land and four cows." According to Ali, his family's sole source of income and livelihood is depended on livestock rearing.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Partner organizations have been implementing a project "Emergency support to protect livestock-based livelihoods of the most vulnerable food insecure herders" with Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) and will provide vital assistance to 82 311 livestock owner across in 14 provinces including Kapisa province in Afghanistan.
In May 2023, Ali received a livestock protection package that included 200 kg of concentrated animal feed, approximately 2 kg of clover seeds, and 200 ml of deworming medicine. Additionally, he participated in technical training on livestock management and dairy processing. As a result of these interventions, the amount of milk Ali obtains from his cows has doubled. He now sells an additional 6 kg of milk in the local market every day, earning 200 Afghani for it. Previously, Ali faced challenges such as a scarcity of fodder, which resulted in weak and malnourished animals.
Ali is one of the many beneficiaries who are experiencing great satisfaction due to the favorable circumstances brought about by the distribution of livestock protection packages in 14 provinces of Afghanistan. This project commenced in December 2022, and thus far, it has successfully provided support to 75 000 vulnerable households, benefiting around 525 000 people. As the project progresses, it aims to extend its assistance to an estimated 82 311 households, by 19 September 2023.