Working in Afghanistan and Pakistan's Agricultural Industries

Agricultural consulting in Afghanistan and Pakistan reflects their histories.  Colonized by England, educated Pakistan speaks English and has familiar government, educational and commercial systems.  Afghanistan has never been colonized.  For both opportunities are primarily through USAID or NGOs, often post conflict and in the form of project proposals.  Commercial opportunities are less common.  Compensation is determined by the funding body.  For both countries visas, with letters of introduction, local facilitators, translators, drivers, security and local contacts are necessary to work.  With most projects final objectives are to develop better technical information, local capacity, information outreach, profitable production and enter higher value export markets.  Both countries have university agricultural departments and extension services but the former are disconnected and the latter lack technical training. The level of knowledge is very basic though better Pakistani companies that have entered export markets are more advanced. Your role will be to assess a situation, determine what can be done within their situation, or with contacts you facilitate, and how to do it.  Two ongoing programs will be presented; in Afghanistan the efforts to reestablish the traditional pistachio industry, and develop pistachios within new reforestation projects and on small farms will be presented.  In Pakistan, the efforts to develop new and enhance perennial tree crops through introductions, establishing better nurseries and teaching basic postharvest practices will be discussed.