SUBJECT AREA REPORT 2016 Soybean Production Demonstration Farms in Afghanistan A Partnership Soy Industry Development Program with Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and World Food Program Funded by the Republic of Korea SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 NUTRITION & EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL 2500 Foothill Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
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2016 Soybean Production Demonstration Farms in Afghanistan · SUBJECT AREA REPORT 2016 Soybean Production Demonstration Farms in Afghanistan A Partnership Soy Industry Development
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SUBJECT AREA REPORT 2016 Soybean Production
Demonstration Farms in Afghanistan
A Partnership Soy Industry Development Program with Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture,
Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and World Food Program
Funded by the Republic of Korea
SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 NUTRITION & EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL
2.1 ABOUT NEI For over a decade, Nutrition and Education International (NEI) has been working to end
protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in Afghanistan, particularly among vulnerable women and
children. In order to provide immediate nutritional support to vulnerable populations living
throughout the country, NEI supports local farmers with training and input distribution through
its soybean agriculture program. NEI uses strictly non-GMO soybeans grown within
Afghanistan in order to develop a self-sustainable soybean industry that will increase food
security, support livelihoods and eradicate PEM in Afghanistan.
Soybeans grown through NEI’s agriculture program are then processed in NEI supported soy
processing facilities around the country. Each processing facility is capable of producing specific
high protein soy products such as soymilk, soy cookies and soy flour. Once produced, these
proteins rich products are distributed to vulnerable populations at schools, orphanages and
refugee camps, among others.
2.2 NEI VISION AND MISSION NEI’s vision and mission is to defeat protein-energy malnutrition in Afghanistan, a country
where a large percentage of the population continues to suffer from chronic malnutrition,
causing them to be highly susceptible to illness and death.
As a practical solution and intervention to malnutrition, NEI aims to develop a self-sustainable
soy industry and soy food culture to increase the daily consumption of protein within vulnerable
populations.
2.3 WHY SOYBEANS? Protein-energy malnutrition, synonymous to protein deficiency, is a major contributing factor to
the high infant and maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan. With the high prices and low daily
consumption of meats, soybeans have emerged as a proven source of high quality, cost effective
protein. Containing 9 essential amino acids ideal for human consumption and nutrition,
soybeans provide a practical solution in tackling protein based malnutrition across the country.
3 OVERVIEW
To further support Afghan farmers and the soy value chain, NEI established 110 demonstration
farms spanning across 108 districts within 31 provinces. Through farmer training, monitoring
and field day activities, NEI helps train and support progressive farmers in their soybean
cultivation.
A key factor in the success of demonstration farmers is NEI’s ability to build the capacity of lead
farms to manage the plots sustainably on their own, using technology and advice appropriate for
smallholders in the area. NEI does not get overly involved in the direct management of the
farms and plots, or promote production packages that are not feasible for smallholder farmers.
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3.1 DEMONSTRATION PLOT OBJECTIVES Demonstration plots are utilized to demonstrate effective, modern agronomic practices to
soybean farmers. They encourage soybean producers on the profitability and benefits of
producing soybeans as well encouraging the use of improved farming practices. Farmers who
are reluctant to change their agronomic practices are more likely to pick them up after seeing
demonstration plot results. Demonstration plots can lead to increased trust and stronger
relationships with farmers and, if used effectively, will improve farmer’s productivity and yield.
Demonstration plots are valuable tools in:
Demonstrating production techniques that can increase productivity.
Showing farmers the proper handling and use of inputs such as new seed varieties,
fertilizer application and pesticide and herbicide application.
Motivating farmers in adopting improved practices for better yields and product quality.
Encouraging new methodology of farm management.
Training farmers on the usage of farming machinery.
Extension workers to be motivated to work with soybean farmers as well as research
officers.
3.2 METHODOLOGY
Planting should be done by row, raised bed and/or broadcast system.
Seeding rates for row and raised bed should be the same, while there should be a 5%-10% increase
when using the broadcast method. When planting by broadcast, the seed should be broadcasted
by one half in each direction of the plot length and width wise.
Plots for broadcast and row planting should be pre-irrigated the day before to allow for planting
in moist soil for best soybean seed emergence and stand establishment.
Use of inoculants should be increased by carrying more to the field. Farmers should wet seeds
slightly before applying.
Ensure all plants receive the same irrigation frequency and same water volume.
Rows and rise beds must be effectively weeded at the same time.
Plant stand counts should be monitored for each subplot at the V2 stage of growth.
3.3 IMPLEMENTATION
Process of seed germination
Seed plots (50000 - 75000 plants /jerib)
Transferring of seeds to planting area on time
Date of planting (on a selected season time)
Row spacing 40cm-50cm
Weeds, pest & disease control
Irrigation application
Fertilizer application
Date of flowering
Nodulation
Pods per plant
Soybean maturity
Harvest method
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4 FARMER IDENTIFICATION
Identification of soybean beneficiary farmers is conducted through close coordination with the
Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) alongside Agriculture District
Managers. The farmer identification program begins with meetings between the Agriculture
Director, Extension Director and all related District Managers in order to discuss the method of
identification. Upon submitting a plan for identification, members of DAIL, Agriculture District
Managers, Community Development Councils, village leaders, and other influential individuals
work together in selecting the benefiting villages. Farmers from each of the chosen villages are
gathered and introduced to NEI and its agriculture program. Interested farmers are then
registered for the cultivation program.
During the farmer identification process, an NEI agronomist describes the selection criteria for
demonstration farmers, as outlined below:
Farmer should have one jerib of irrigated land to use, or be willing to assist NEI in
selecting plot of suitable land.
Farmers must be willing to prepare the land according to NEI directives.
Farmers should have prior experience with soybean planting.
Majority of selected demonstration farmers must be members of their respective
Soybean Farmers Association.
Farmers must sow the seeds in a timely and proper manner, as advised by the NEI
agriculture team.
Farmers must be proactive in crop management methods such as mulching, fertilizer
application, thinning, weeding, roughing and irrigation.
Demo plots will be visited regularly and farmers are expected to report any problems or
issues to the NEI agriculture team immediately.
Farmers must adopt appropriate pest control methods.
Post-harvest activities must be completed as advised, ex: harvesting, threshing, cleaning
and sorting, grading and drying of crops.
Farmers must assist in data collection process.
Farmers must be willing to demonstrate newly learned farming practices to other
farmers when visited.
Farmers should have the capacity of learning and implementing project methodology.
Farmers must be able and willing to collect data from their plots, including date of
planting, weeding, irrigation period, flowering and harvesting.
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Table 1 Regional Demonstration Farmers Region Farmers Villages Districts Provinces
Center Zone 17 17 14 7 East Zone 23 23 23 3 High land Zone 4 4 3 2 North Zone 15 14 14 2 Northeast Zone 17 17 16 4 Northwest Zone 9 9 9 3 South East 4 4 4 3 South West 9 9 8 5 West Zone 12 12 11 2
Total 110 109 102 31
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Figure 1 Varieties Cultivated at Demonstration Plots
5 FARMER TRAINING AND INPUT DISTRIBUTION
Demonstration farmers are required and expected to utilize a more structured methodology
with modern practices in their planting of soybean and land management. To achieve this,
demonstration farmers are supported with two enhanced training programs.
The first level of farmer training is conducted at the district centers, encompassing 50 soybean
farmers at each, for a 3 hour session. The sessions are divided into two parts, a theoretical
training and a practical training which takes place in the field. Farmers are shown methods of
planting, land preparation, row and plant spacing among others.
To enhance demonstration farmer’s capacity, NEI invites all its demonstration farmers to a
second training at a two day Soybean Science and Technology Workshop, discussing theoretical
and technical training. The same time NEI trained each districts extension managers for the
increasing their capacity and support the demo farmers during the demo plot design.
5.1 TRAINING METHODOLOGY Introduction of NEI and its program
Importance of soybean
Selection of soy cropping season
Selection of site
Selection of soil
Selection soy crop and it is verity
Land preparation techniques
Planting methods
Fertilizer application (Urea, DAP)
Irrigation practices
75%
18%
4%4%
Stine 3300
Hwang Keum
Stine 3870
Stine #1
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How to deal with potential pests and diseases
Harvesting of soybeans
Threshing, and use of machinery
Post-harvest storage methods
Marketing and home consumption of soybeans
5.2 FARM MANAGEMENT TOOL DISTRIBUTION AND LABOR PROVISION To encourage and motivate demonstration farmers to participate fully in all activities as
recommended, farmers were provided with the following:
Agriculture tools (spade/fork, trowel, tape-meter, hoe in garden and rope)
Plough/Plow cost 2 times
Labor cost during land preparation
Labor cost during sowing of seed.
Labor cost for weeding two times
Labor cost for harvesting and cleaning cost
5.3 SOIL SAMPLING FROM THE DEMO FARMERS In agriculture the soil test refers to analyzing the soil nutrient contents, soil composition, and
other characteristics such as soil acidity (pH levels). A soil test determines the fertility of soil
and other factors that are important to plant growth.
Afghanistan’s soil is formed under arid and semi-arid climatic condition. Textural classes are
mostly clay loam to sandy loam. Soil pH and calcium carbonate contents are high and the
organic matter is low, ranging from 0.2-2.5%. Previous soil tests in Afghanistan have shown low
levels of nitrogen and different level of phosphorus and adequate level of potassium.
Soil fertility and soil fertility management is a key factor to improve and produce good yields. To
manage the soil fertility, testing the soil is very important and the soil test analysis help the
decision makers to plan correctly and efficiently. In 2016, NEI sampled soil from 50
demonstration plots.
6 MONITORING
Demonstration farms aim to show other local farmers how farming best practices can lead to
improve yields. Therefore, it is essential that demonstration farmers are monitored in order to
ensure that best practices are being implemented and to identify areas in which additional
support may be required.
In order to complete a periodic review of the entire program the monitoring program is
conducted in four parts, phone monitoring and site monitoring, second site monitoring with
individual farmers and during the yield estimation program.
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6.1 PHONE MONITORING Upon completion of the training session and input distribution, farmers are contacted by phone
to discuss any challenges they have faced and ensure planting and soybean growth is occurring
appropriately. All questions and concerns expressed by farmers are addressed directly by NEI.
On June 13, 2016 phone monitoring was conducted with all 110 demonstration farmers in 31
provinces. The phone monitoring program supports farmers in recording basic information
regarding their plots, including date of planting, method of planting and challenges
encountered. The monitoring follows a preset questionnaire, the results of which can be found
in the table on the next page.
Challenges
Phone numbers recorded for some of the demonstration farmers were not in service, this
delayed the process.
Some of the farmers had not planted the soybean at the time of monitoring.
It was noted that some of the farmers faced shortages in water supply which may affect
the planting process.
Flooding had affected and destroyed some of the farmer’s plots.
It was noted that some of the plots were threatened by disease.
Recommendations
Encourage farmers who have not planted yet to begin the process, as their production
may suffer from late planting.
Arrangements should be made for those farmers facing shortages in water, such as the
installation of water pumps, or these farmers should be replaced with other interested
farmers with an available water supply. This option however is not preferred, as it is late
for implementation.
Farmers should be trained and prepared for intervention if their crop is threatened by
flooding.
Farmers should be provided with enough pesticides for use on their plants if necessary.