Introduction to this blog

The aim of this blog is to share my thoughts on agriculture, in particular horticulture, during my time in Afghanistan.

Agriculture in broad terms contributes about half of GDP for the country, and two thirds of employment.

If we look deeper into this though, 35% of all farmers also cultivate poppies for opium production. Afghanistan provides more than three quarters of the world's opium, and depending on which figures you review, it contributes as much as a third of total GDP in the country and employs one in five people.

Despite the obvious barriers to reducing this reliance on poppies, a thriving agriculture sector is essential to reducing poverty and hunger, increase food security and drive economic growth. It is not an exaggeration to say that the long term peace and even survival of Afghanistan relies heavily on a successful agricultural economy.

So, I hope to provide through this blog a different perspective on Afghanistan than the media gives. Agriculture does rate a mention in the press from time to time, but normally on about Page 20 in small font!

Please feel free to send through any comments you may have!

Stuart.