Member of European Parliament Visits FAO Seed Project

Mr. Andre Brie, Member of European Parliament (MEP), visited the Sar-i-Sang private seed enterprise in Takhar Province on Thursday 6 December 2007, where he was greeted by a large group of enthusiastic farmers from the surrounding communities. Sar-i-Sang enterprise is one of eight pilot private seed enterprises across Afghanistan that have been engendered within the past three years by funding from the European Union and technical assistance from FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock. The current phase of the Afghanistan Variety and Seed Industry Development Project has received € 10 million funding from the European Union (EU) for its work over a period of five years.

In addressing the group of farmers, MEP Andre Brie congratulated and thanked everyone for the excellent work they are doing, which he described as an example of positive results coming from EU aid. He appreciated the important success of the project in a decisive field that is aimed at feeding the people of Afghanistan. He assured the farmers of continuous aid and help from the European Union to enable the people of Afghanistan to achieve true development as exemplified by Sar-i-Sang seed enterprise. In conclusion, Mr. Brie underscored the importance of peace and stability for true development to take place and benefit the Afghan people.

Since 2004, Sar-i-Sang enterprise has produced and marketed up to 944 tones certified seed of international quality standard with contract farmers that have increased in number from 25 in the first year to 216 in 30 surrounding villages this year. In addition to wheat seed, the enterprise has begun diversifying into seed production of several vegetable crops including onion, carrot, cauliflower and radish using limited facilities.