The document discusses diversification strategies for food insecure villages in the mountainous Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. It details a study of 195 villages across 13 districts that assessed quantitative and qualitative data on food security. Key findings were that diversifying household incomes through programs like emergency employment and microfinance can help purchase agricultural inputs and ensure varied food sources. Promoting food security through empowered community development councils was also seen as important. Adapting to climate change through sustainable practices, technology, and drought-resistant crops was highlighted.

1. Diversification Strategies in Food Insecure High Altitude Villages
of Badakhshan, Afghanistan
Professor Salim Sumar, PhD – Director, Food Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation, London, UK
Naveed Somani, MA – The Commonwealth Institute, London, UK
Dr Iqbal Kermali, PhD – Cowater International, Ottawa, Canada

2. Professor S Sumar - GRF One Health Conference, Davos 19-22 Feb, 2012 2/10

3. Uzbekistan Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Afghanistan
o Population: 37 million
o Total Area: 652,000 km2
o Provinces: 34
Badakshan Province
 Population : 819, 396
Iran
 Total Area : 47,403 km2 Pakistan
 Number of Districts: 28
 Mostly mountainous
Professor S Sumar - GRF One Health Conference, Davos 19-22 Feb, 2012 3/10

4. Methodology
o Study conducted towards the end of 2009
o Duration of field work was 10 months
o 195 villages in 13 districts in Afghan Badakhshan surveyed
o Quantitative and qualitative assessment methodologies used (in Dari)
o Key informants included :
o CDC village councils
o officials of the local government
o district government officials
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5. Professor S Sumar - GRF One Health
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Conference, Davos 19-22 Feb, 2012

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Conference, Davos 19-22 Feb, 2012

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Conference, Davos 19-22 Feb, 2012

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Conference, Davos 19-22 Feb, 2012

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10. Some Conclusions
o Diversification of incomes
o Regular wage income (off farm)
o Afghan National Emergency Employment Programme (NEEP)
o Micro-finance programs
o Income reinvested to purchasing agricultural inputs
o Ensure a diversity of incomes and food sources within a single household
o Promoting food security activities with CDCs
o As CDC are very powerful local bodies
o Should be empowered to play a leading role when planning and implementing any food security strategy
o CDC consider wider issues ranging from ability to obtain food, to the social welfare of vulnerable participants in the food system
o Community owned stockpiles
o Recognising climate change
o Sustainable food production & adaptation to climate change
o Use of basic technology transfer and extension work by agricultural aid agencies
o Water conservation, food harvesting techniques on indigenous knowledge and low tech construction methods
o Drought resistant high market value crops should be identified and tested for long-term productivity
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11. Diversification Strategies in Food Insecure High Altitude Villages
of Badakhshan, Afghanistan
THANK YOU
Professor Salim Sumar, PhD – Director, Food Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation, London, UK
Naveed Somani, MA – The Commonwealth Institute, London, UK
Dr Iqbal Kermali, PhD – Cowater International, Ottawa, Canada