Kandahar, Afghanistan – May 10, 2010 – In times of peace, the famous Kandahari orchards boast Kismish and Ayta grapes, apricots, figs, almonds, and pomegranates, the succulent fruit that has been a long-standing emblem of this region. Orchards are vulnerable to war; trees that have taken years or decades to develop may be destroyed in an instant. However, not all enemies of the trees are human. Insects can be more dangerous to a tree than a thousand bullets.

In March 2010, Kandahar was overrun by an infestation of aphids, small plant-eating insects that are among the most destructive tree-killing pests in this area. Farmers and shura (council) members approached USAID’s Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Production in Agriculture (AVIPA) Plus program to seek assistance with the growing aphid blight. If left unchecked, it would severely damage at least one-third of Kandahar’s orchards, delivering a severe blow to the livelihoods of thousands of struggling farmers.

In consultation with the farming community, the Kandahar Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (DAIL), and the Agricultural Department of Kandahar University, AVIPA Plus developed and started rapidly implementing a complete custom-made integrated pest management (IPM) project. A simple but efficient eco-friendly solution of soap and water was prepared and tested, which, when applied properly, also decreases the presence of two other local pests - thrips and whiteflies.

By mid-April, the IPM project was expanded to the orchards around the city of Kandahar and in the districts of Zhari and Panjwayi.

To date, 6,000 workers have sprayed 8,500 hectares of Kandahari orchards. The workers are all local villagers, many of whom own and earn a livelihood from the very orchards they are now protecting from the pests.

In addition, AVIPA Plus will train, equip, and supply a DAIL-sponsored 100-member team to pass on the know-how to local governmental representatives and thus ensure the sustainability of the initiative.

Under the IPM project, the laborers earn good money and the orchard owners will save their fruit crops this season.