Case Studies

The mission of Roots of Peace is to demine, replant and rebuild post-conflict countries. We work to rid the world of landmines and other remnants of war by transforming toxic minefields into thriving farmland and communities. Around the world, millions of landmines hidden beneath the soil continue to have a devastating impact on the lives of men, women and children. Landmines not only kill and maim innocent civilians but also have rippling effect on a country’s economic recovery and development. In many countries, the landmine problem is especially severe in rural areas. Landmines make agricultural fields inaccessible, crippling local agricultural economies.

Roots of Peace removes the hazard of landmines and unexploded ordinance from the soil. We then work with international agencies and the private sector to revitalize the country’s agricultural sector, bringing demined land back into productive agricultural use and creating a harvest of hope for communities in landmine affected countries. As part of these efforts, we also work to demine and rebuild schools, roads, irrigation canals and even playgrounds, as every child needs a safe place to play. Roots of Peace prioritizes our demining efforts based on the level of social and economic impact.

Roots of Peace believes this coordinated approach is the most effective approach to post-conflict situations.  It is effective in helping to rebuild the local rural economy and it is a better prioritization mechanism for allocating funds for mine clearance.  Mine clearance is expensive.  By linking the replanting and rebuilding efforts closely with the mine clearance activities, ROP can better insure the expected impact of the program will be realized.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES

Roots of Peace programs aim to utilize market forces to establish lasting initiatives that become small and medium business enterprises. Ranging from commercial nurseries to grape trellis manufacturers, Roots of Peace has established over 50 such enterprises in addition to the thousands of jobs created through the newly established and/or expanded orchards and vineyards across the country.

HIGH MARKET VALUE AGRICULTURE

The main focus of Roots of Peace programs in Afghanistan is on high value agricultural projects. Almonds, walnuts, grapes, cherries, pomegranates and citrus are some of the crops Roots of Peace works with that offer improved incomes for rural farmers. These produce often act as an alternative to poppy production, as the farmer’s incomes are typically higher with our selected produce than with poppy production.

ENTIRE VALUE CHAIN

Roots of Peace works to support and strengthen all aspects of the value chain, including: production, harvest, post-harvest processing, trade and transport.  This is accomplished through the following 4 step process: