April 1, 2009

Roots of Peace - Panjshir Cherry and Apricot Orchard Projects

"Life is a bowl of cherries" is a phrase that often refers to optimism and hope. In the case of Afghanistan, Roots of Peace has just established the planting of cherries in the Panjshir Valley - once a stronghold for operations for Ahmad Shah Masoud. In spring 2009, Roots of Peace implemented an innovative model to assist Afghan farmers in the Panjshir Valley to establish commercial cherry and apricot orchards on their small farms. With this Roots of Peace model, we plan to establish at least 6 cherry and 3 apricot nurseries that will continue to provide high-quality saplings for commercial orchards for future generations. Using saplings from these nurseries, Roots of Peace will assist the farmers of Panjshir to establish at least 600 cherry orchards and 100 apricot orchards over the 2 year implementation period of this project. The first cherry harvests are to be expected in June 2011.

The $352,105 project is being funded by the US Department of Defense (DoD), Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP), managed in this case by TF Warrior Agriculture Development Team (ADT), and Nebraska National Guard stationed at Bagram Air Force Base near Kabul. Roots of Peace is also working closely with the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).

The Panjshir Valley is located approximately 50 miles north of Kabul and is similar to other high-altitude mountain valleys, with swiftly flowing streams and rocky peaks covered with snow. The Panjshir Valley was the refuge and center of operations of Ahmad Shah Masoud, one of the most celebrated Afghan commanders fighting for independence from Russia. Afghan forces under Masoud’s command repulsed 10 attempts by heavily armored Russian forces to invade the valley and capture Masoud.

Today, the Panjshir valley is returning to its traditional occupation of small-scale farming. The Afghans have established irrigation systems to divert the stream water into their small wheat and fruit tree farms. They have seen cherries and know how valuable they are. The farmers in the lower altitudes of the Panjshir valley are enthused about the opportunity to establish cherry orchards. Higher up in the Panjshir valley, where cherries are not adapted, Roots of Peace will help the farmers plant high-value apricots that are well adapted to the high-altitude climate. These new varieties of apricot will also bring higher-than normal prices and increased incomes for Afghan farmers who participate in this project.

The benefits of this two-year project will provide sustainable economic returns. First of all, the trees planted now will continue to bear fruit for years to come. Secondly, the new nurseries that Roots of Peace is assisting farmers to develop will continue to produce new saplings for planting replacement orchards for years to come. Thirdly, the knowledge that is being transferred to the farmers and to the Ministry of Agriculture extension agents will assure that the farmers and nursery operators will be able to manage nurseries and orchards long after the Roots of Peace pilot project ends. Ultimately, the Panjshir Valley will become known for its cherries and apricots, and will become a center of expansion for this Roots of Peace model to be replicated throughout Afghanistan. Together with the Afghan farmers, our U.S. funders are helping us to literally plant the roots of peace!