KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – One of the most difficult challenges for women farmers and agriculture-related business owners in Afghanistan is the access to credit for their agriculture operations, and understanding how credit works for them. However, help is on the way, thanks to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

On Wednesday, USAID’s Agricultural Credit Enhancement Phase-II project (ACE-II) hosted the first Women’s Agricultural Credit Shura in Kabul to raise women’s awareness in agricultural credit. This gathering focused on practical training of women to apply for and to manage credit.  This one-day event brought together a number of top microfinance institutions in Afghanistan along with other financial experts to work with Shura attendees.  The event is the first of a series of Shuras planned throughout the country.

Participants were briefed on women’s economic rights, the types of credit available – traditional and Islamic, and how credit could help them grow their business or farm. In groups, women engaged in discussions about challenges women face in access credit and were able to discuss those challenges with women who have had experience with taking loans.

“Events like this Shura are great examples of several USAID projects coming together with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to support ACE-II on this important effort to empower women in agriculture,” said Acting USAID Mission Director Kathryn Stevens. “Increasing agricultural output remains critical to the health of the entire Afghan economy and access to credit is a key component of achieving that growth.”

“Our goal is increasing agricultural output and bettering the lives of the women’s families.” said Asadullah Zamir, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL). “The Ministry of Agriculture believes that agricultural loans are great opportunities for the whole sector and we are committed to support the financial institutions ensuring that women are able to receive credit.”

The USAID Agricultural Credit Enhancement (ACE) project established and managed the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) until it was transferred to the Afghan government in 2015. The follow-on project, ACE-II, seeks to build on results achieved by the previous program and expand access to agriculture-related credit to increase commercial viability of small- and medium-size farms and agribusinesses as a necessary condition for a thriving agricultural economy.

With almost $17 billion spent on development programs in Afghanistan since 2002, USAID provides the largest bilateral civilian assistance program to Afghanistan. USAID partners with the government and people of Afghanistan to ensure economic growth led by the country’s private sector, to establish a democratic and capable state governed by the rule of law, and to provide basic health and education services for all Afghans.

• Press Release - USAID Hosts Women’s Agriculture Credit Shura to Improve Lives and Livelihoods of Afghan Women Farmers (Dari)
• Press Release - USAID Hosts Women’s Agriculture Credit Shura to Improve Lives and Livelihoods of Afghan Women Farmers (Pashto)