2016 soybean production demonstration farms in afghanistan · subject area report 2016 soybean...
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SUBJECT AREA REPORT 2016 Soybean Production
Demonstration Farms in Afghanistan
A Partnership Soy Industry Development Program with Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture,
Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and World Food Program
Funded by the Republic of Korea
SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 NUTRITION & EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL
2500 Foothill Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
Page 1 of 25
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Forward ................................................................................................................................... 2
2 Background .............................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 About NEI ........................................................................................................................ 3
2.2 NEI Vision and Mission ................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Why Soybeans? ................................................................................................................ 3
3 Overview .................................................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Demonstration Plot Objectives ........................................................................................ 4
3.2 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Implementation ............................................................................................................... 4
4 Farmer Identification .............................................................................................................. 5
5 Farmer Training and Input Distribution ..................................................................................7
5.1 Training Methodology .......................................................................................................7
5.2 Farm Management Tool Distribution and Labor Provision ............................................ 8
5.3 Soil Sampling from the Demo Farmers ........................................................................... 8
6 Monitoring ............................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 Phone Monitoring ............................................................................................................ 9
6.2 Site Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 11
6.2.1 Objective .................................................................................................................. 11
7 Field Day Program .................................................................................................................. 13
7.1 Methodology.................................................................................................................... 13
7.2 Program Benefits ............................................................................................................. 13
8 Yield Estimation ..................................................................................................................... 15
9 Harvesting Program ............................................................................................................... 16
9.1 Post-Harvest Purchase of Soybeans ............................................................................... 20
10 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 20
11 Photos ................................................................................................................................. 21
Page 2 of 25
1 FORWARD
When Nutrition & Education International (NEI) was founded in 2003, its vision was to
eradicate protein-energy malnutrition in Afghanistan, especially among women and children.
Since that time NEI has been steadfast in its commitment to the people of Afghanistan through
the creation and development of a self-sustainable soy value chain.
NEI’s commitment to sustainability is apparent throughout the program, and appears in many
ways. It’s found in the field with agronomists and farmers, in cooking classes, at the market with
naan bakers, and in research labs, to name a few. NEI has found that the most impactful work
happens, not in an office, but where Afghan’s live and work.
The 2016 Soybean Demonstration Farms report exemplifies NEI’s approach. This report
compiles data collected in the field by NEI and its partners to understand and improve soybean
yields in each province year to year. This report also serves as an historical record, to be used as
reference for further development of the soy market in Afghanistan.
This field research could not have been accomplished without the help of Afghanistan’s Ministry
of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and
Livestock (DAIL) and World Food Programme (WFP).
Together with our partners, we have shown that we can achieve our vision of eradicating
malnutrition in Afghanistan. NEI’s nutrition-sensitive, agriculture value chain development
efforts are at the forefront of sustainable development thanks to our dedicated and passionate
staff who risk their lives to rebuild the beautiful country of Afghanistan. But, we are still far from
our final goal. Further expansion of our soy program is necessary in order to provide many
underprivileged Afghans with the tools they need to stand on their own feet and contribute to
the future stability of their country.
We look forward to the continued support, and continued improvement of soybean yields in
each province. With the continued growth of soybeans, we take strides closer to improve the
health of Afghans suffering from protein-malnutrition.
Sincerely,
Steven Kwon, PhD
Nutrition and Education International
www.neifoundation.org
Page 3 of 25
2 BACKGROUND
2.1 ABOUT NEI For over a decade, Nutrition and Education International (NEI) has been working to end
protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in Afghanistan, particularly among vulnerable women and
children. In order to provide immediate nutritional support to vulnerable populations living
throughout the country, NEI supports local farmers with training and input distribution through
its soybean agriculture program. NEI uses strictly non-GMO soybeans grown within
Afghanistan in order to develop a self-sustainable soybean industry that will increase food
security, support livelihoods and eradicate PEM in Afghanistan.
Soybeans grown through NEI’s agriculture program are then processed in NEI supported soy
processing facilities around the country. Each processing facility is capable of producing specific
high protein soy products such as soymilk, soy cookies and soy flour. Once produced, these
proteins rich products are distributed to vulnerable populations at schools, orphanages and
refugee camps, among others.
2.2 NEI VISION AND MISSION NEI’s vision and mission is to defeat protein-energy malnutrition in Afghanistan, a country
where a large percentage of the population continues to suffer from chronic malnutrition,
causing them to be highly susceptible to illness and death.
As a practical solution and intervention to malnutrition, NEI aims to develop a self-sustainable
soy industry and soy food culture to increase the daily consumption of protein within vulnerable
populations.
2.3 WHY SOYBEANS? Protein-energy malnutrition, synonymous to protein deficiency, is a major contributing factor to
the high infant and maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan. With the high prices and low daily
consumption of meats, soybeans have emerged as a proven source of high quality, cost effective
protein. Containing 9 essential amino acids ideal for human consumption and nutrition,
soybeans provide a practical solution in tackling protein based malnutrition across the country.
3 OVERVIEW
To further support Afghan farmers and the soy value chain, NEI established 110 demonstration
farms spanning across 108 districts within 31 provinces. Through farmer training, monitoring
and field day activities, NEI helps train and support progressive farmers in their soybean
cultivation.
A key factor in the success of demonstration farmers is NEI’s ability to build the capacity of lead
farms to manage the plots sustainably on their own, using technology and advice appropriate for
smallholders in the area. NEI does not get overly involved in the direct management of the
farms and plots, or promote production packages that are not feasible for smallholder farmers.
Page 4 of 25
3.1 DEMONSTRATION PLOT OBJECTIVES Demonstration plots are utilized to demonstrate effective, modern agronomic practices to
soybean farmers. They encourage soybean producers on the profitability and benefits of
producing soybeans as well encouraging the use of improved farming practices. Farmers who
are reluctant to change their agronomic practices are more likely to pick them up after seeing
demonstration plot results. Demonstration plots can lead to increased trust and stronger
relationships with farmers and, if used effectively, will improve farmer’s productivity and yield.
Demonstration plots are valuable tools in:
Demonstrating production techniques that can increase productivity.
Showing farmers the proper handling and use of inputs such as new seed varieties,
fertilizer application and pesticide and herbicide application.
Motivating farmers in adopting improved practices for better yields and product quality.
Encouraging new methodology of farm management.
Training farmers on the usage of farming machinery.
Extension workers to be motivated to work with soybean farmers as well as research
officers.
3.2 METHODOLOGY
Planting should be done by row, raised bed and/or broadcast system.
Seeding rates for row and raised bed should be the same, while there should be a 5%-10% increase
when using the broadcast method. When planting by broadcast, the seed should be broadcasted
by one half in each direction of the plot length and width wise.
Plots for broadcast and row planting should be pre-irrigated the day before to allow for planting
in moist soil for best soybean seed emergence and stand establishment.
Use of inoculants should be increased by carrying more to the field. Farmers should wet seeds
slightly before applying.
Ensure all plants receive the same irrigation frequency and same water volume.
Rows and rise beds must be effectively weeded at the same time.
Plant stand counts should be monitored for each subplot at the V2 stage of growth.
3.3 IMPLEMENTATION
Process of seed germination
Seed plots (50000 - 75000 plants /jerib)
Transferring of seeds to planting area on time
Date of planting (on a selected season time)
Row spacing 40cm-50cm
Weeds, pest & disease control
Irrigation application
Fertilizer application
Date of flowering
Nodulation
Pods per plant
Soybean maturity
Harvest method
Page 5 of 25
4 FARMER IDENTIFICATION
Identification of soybean beneficiary farmers is conducted through close coordination with the
Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) alongside Agriculture District
Managers. The farmer identification program begins with meetings between the Agriculture
Director, Extension Director and all related District Managers in order to discuss the method of
identification. Upon submitting a plan for identification, members of DAIL, Agriculture District
Managers, Community Development Councils, village leaders, and other influential individuals
work together in selecting the benefiting villages. Farmers from each of the chosen villages are
gathered and introduced to NEI and its agriculture program. Interested farmers are then
registered for the cultivation program.
During the farmer identification process, an NEI agronomist describes the selection criteria for
demonstration farmers, as outlined below:
Farmer should have one jerib of irrigated land to use, or be willing to assist NEI in
selecting plot of suitable land.
Farmers must be willing to prepare the land according to NEI directives.
Farmers should have prior experience with soybean planting.
Majority of selected demonstration farmers must be members of their respective
Soybean Farmers Association.
Farmers must sow the seeds in a timely and proper manner, as advised by the NEI
agriculture team.
Farmers must be proactive in crop management methods such as mulching, fertilizer
application, thinning, weeding, roughing and irrigation.
Demo plots will be visited regularly and farmers are expected to report any problems or
issues to the NEI agriculture team immediately.
Farmers must adopt appropriate pest control methods.
Post-harvest activities must be completed as advised, ex: harvesting, threshing, cleaning
and sorting, grading and drying of crops.
Farmers must assist in data collection process.
Farmers must be willing to demonstrate newly learned farming practices to other
farmers when visited.
Farmers should have the capacity of learning and implementing project methodology.
Farmers must be able and willing to collect data from their plots, including date of
planting, weeding, irrigation period, flowering and harvesting.
Page 6 of 25
Table 1 Regional Demonstration Farmers Region Farmers Villages Districts Provinces
Center Zone 17 17 14 7 East Zone 23 23 23 3 High land Zone 4 4 3 2 North Zone 15 14 14 2 Northeast Zone 17 17 16 4 Northwest Zone 9 9 9 3 South East 4 4 4 3 South West 9 9 8 5 West Zone 12 12 11 2
Total 110 109 102 31
Page 7 of 25
Figure 1 Varieties Cultivated at Demonstration Plots
5 FARMER TRAINING AND INPUT DISTRIBUTION
Demonstration farmers are required and expected to utilize a more structured methodology
with modern practices in their planting of soybean and land management. To achieve this,
demonstration farmers are supported with two enhanced training programs.
The first level of farmer training is conducted at the district centers, encompassing 50 soybean
farmers at each, for a 3 hour session. The sessions are divided into two parts, a theoretical
training and a practical training which takes place in the field. Farmers are shown methods of
planting, land preparation, row and plant spacing among others.
To enhance demonstration farmer’s capacity, NEI invites all its demonstration farmers to a
second training at a two day Soybean Science and Technology Workshop, discussing theoretical
and technical training. The same time NEI trained each districts extension managers for the
increasing their capacity and support the demo farmers during the demo plot design.
5.1 TRAINING METHODOLOGY Introduction of NEI and its program
Importance of soybean
Selection of soy cropping season
Selection of site
Selection of soil
Selection soy crop and it is verity
Land preparation techniques
Planting methods
Fertilizer application (Urea, DAP)
Irrigation practices
75%
18%
4%4%
Stine 3300
Hwang Keum
Stine 3870
Stine #1
Page 8 of 25
How to deal with potential pests and diseases
Harvesting of soybeans
Threshing, and use of machinery
Post-harvest storage methods
Marketing and home consumption of soybeans
5.2 FARM MANAGEMENT TOOL DISTRIBUTION AND LABOR PROVISION To encourage and motivate demonstration farmers to participate fully in all activities as
recommended, farmers were provided with the following:
Agriculture tools (spade/fork, trowel, tape-meter, hoe in garden and rope)
Plough/Plow cost 2 times
Labor cost during land preparation
Labor cost during sowing of seed.
Labor cost for weeding two times
Labor cost for harvesting and cleaning cost
5.3 SOIL SAMPLING FROM THE DEMO FARMERS In agriculture the soil test refers to analyzing the soil nutrient contents, soil composition, and
other characteristics such as soil acidity (pH levels). A soil test determines the fertility of soil
and other factors that are important to plant growth.
Afghanistan’s soil is formed under arid and semi-arid climatic condition. Textural classes are
mostly clay loam to sandy loam. Soil pH and calcium carbonate contents are high and the
organic matter is low, ranging from 0.2-2.5%. Previous soil tests in Afghanistan have shown low
levels of nitrogen and different level of phosphorus and adequate level of potassium.
Soil fertility and soil fertility management is a key factor to improve and produce good yields. To
manage the soil fertility, testing the soil is very important and the soil test analysis help the
decision makers to plan correctly and efficiently. In 2016, NEI sampled soil from 50
demonstration plots.
6 MONITORING
Demonstration farms aim to show other local farmers how farming best practices can lead to
improve yields. Therefore, it is essential that demonstration farmers are monitored in order to
ensure that best practices are being implemented and to identify areas in which additional
support may be required.
In order to complete a periodic review of the entire program the monitoring program is
conducted in four parts, phone monitoring and site monitoring, second site monitoring with
individual farmers and during the yield estimation program.
Page 9 of 25
6.1 PHONE MONITORING Upon completion of the training session and input distribution, farmers are contacted by phone
to discuss any challenges they have faced and ensure planting and soybean growth is occurring
appropriately. All questions and concerns expressed by farmers are addressed directly by NEI.
On June 13, 2016 phone monitoring was conducted with all 110 demonstration farmers in 31
provinces. The phone monitoring program supports farmers in recording basic information
regarding their plots, including date of planting, method of planting and challenges
encountered. The monitoring follows a preset questionnaire, the results of which can be found
in the table on the next page.
Challenges
Phone numbers recorded for some of the demonstration farmers were not in service, this
delayed the process.
Some of the farmers had not planted the soybean at the time of monitoring.
It was noted that some of the farmers faced shortages in water supply which may affect
the planting process.
Flooding had affected and destroyed some of the farmer’s plots.
It was noted that some of the plots were threatened by disease.
Recommendations
Encourage farmers who have not planted yet to begin the process, as their production
may suffer from late planting.
Arrangements should be made for those farmers facing shortages in water, such as the
installation of water pumps, or these farmers should be replaced with other interested
farmers with an available water supply. This option however is not preferred, as it is late
for implementation.
Farmers should be trained and prepared for intervention if their crop is threatened by
flooding.
Farmers should be provided with enough pesticides for use on their plants if necessary.
Page 10 of 25
Table 2 Demonstration Farmer Phone Monitoring Results
#P
rov
ince
Not
Plan
ted
May
June
100
%95
%90
%85
%0
%0
12
34
50
12
00
0.2
0.2
0.3
0Y
esN
oY
esN
o
1Fa
ryab
40
40
22
00
10
01
03
01
21
12
10
00
04
04
2Jo
zjan
40
40
13
00
00
02
01
12
20
03
01
20
04
04
3Sa
r-e-
pul
10
10
01
00
00
00
01
00
10
00
01
00
01
01
4K
abul
51
42
22
00
10
14
00
02
21
13
10
00
14
05
5G
hazn
i1
01
00
00
00
00
01
01
00
10
01
00
00
10
1
6Ba
mia
n2
02
00
11
00
00
20
00
02
00
20
00
10
20
2
7Lo
gar
10
10
01
00
00
01
00
01
00
01
00
00
01
01
8W
arda
g1
01
01
00
00
01
00
00
01
00
10
00
00
10
1
9Pa
njsh
ir1
01
00
10
00
00
10
00
01
00
10
00
00
10
1
10D
aiku
ndi
21
01
01
00
11
10
00
00
10
11
00
00
11
02
11K
apis
a4
04
00
31
01
30
00
00
22
00
40
00
00
40
4
12Pa
rwan
41
30
12
00
11
10
20
03
10
12
10
00
04
04
13H
erat
100
100
26
20
00
02
33
20
64
07
21
00
010
010
14Ba
dghi
s2
02
00
20
00
00
11
00
20
00
20
00
00
20
2
15N
anga
rhar
151
140
93
20
11
23
43
66
30
00
00
00
312
015
16K
uner
40
20
02
00
00
01
10
00
00
00
30
00
04
04
17La
ghm
an4
04
01
30
00
02
20
00
00
00
00
00
00
40
4
18Pa
ktik
a1
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
1
19K
host
10
01
10
00
00
10
00
00
00
01
00
00
01
01
20Pa
ktia
20
20
11
00
00
11
00
00
00
02
00
00
02
02
21H
elm
and
40
40
13
00
00
21
10
03
10
04
00
00
04
04
22K
anda
har
20
20
11
00
00
00
11
01
10
00
20
00
02
02
23U
rozg
an1
00
10
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
10
1
24Fa
rah
10
01
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
01
01
25Za
bul
10
01
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
01
01
26Ba
ghla
n6
04
21
21
02
12
11
01
42
00
00
00
00
60
6
27K
ondo
z5
04
14
01
01
10
01
03
20
30
00
00
00
50
5
28Ta
khar
40
31
30
10
00
21
01
02
02
00
00
00
04
04
29Ba
dakh
shan
20
11
01
10
00
11
00
00
11
00
00
00
02
02
30Sa
man
gan
40
22
02
00
21
20
00
00
00
00
00
00
04
04
31Ba
lkh
112
72
43
10
22
12
33
07
22
00
00
00
011
011
To
tal
110
68
716
35
46
110
1311
20
27
1916
143
83
115
43
611
32
15
104
011
0
Irri
gati
on
Fre
qu
ency
Wee
din
gP
lan
t Hei
ght (
cm)
Pes
t/
Dis
ease
Nat
ura
l
Dis
aste
r
Inte
rvie
ws
Mo
nth
Pla
nte
dE
mer
gin
g
Page 11 of 25
6.2 SITE MONITORING To complete this program, the NEI team physically monitors the soybean fields, in order to
interview the farmers directly. Site visits include monitoring of the soybean germination
percentages, assessments of the plots irrigation, method of planting, plant growth and its usage
of fertilizer. The NEI team uses this opportunity to discuss challenges and inspect any issues
with the crop such as pests and disease. Upon inspection, farmers are provided with support
and advice on ensuring the health of their soybeans and the production of a high yield at
harvest.
Overall, the monitoring program was well received and the farmers interviewed were pleased
with the support provided. Results are shown on the following page.
6.2.1 Objective
To identify shortages in the program.
To measure the immediate outputs of the program.
To inform management of any difficulties faced in the program.
To address any challenges identified in the fields.
To compare the data collected through the phone monitoring program with that
obtained during physical monitoring.
Challenges
A few of the farmers planted soy beans late.
Disease threatened the health of some demo plots, but not to a large degree.
Some mixed seed varieties were observed, which can be identified through the mixture of
both white and blue flowers.
Recommendations
Those who have planted the soy bean late should be strongly encouraged to stay on
schedule in order to maximize yields.
The farmers should have full preparation on how to save their plants from flooding.
The farmers should be instructed on mechanical methods for preventing pests.
The farmers should be provided with enough pesticides to use on their plants when they
are vulnerable by more than 30%.
Page 12 of 25
Table 3 Site Monitoring Results
#Pr
ovin
ceIn
terv
iew
s
Not
Plan
ted
May
Jun
July
100%
95%
90%
85%
0%10
0%95
%90
%85
%0%
01
23
45
01
23
010
1520
2530
Yes
NoNo
t yet
Yes
NoYe
sNo
NoYe
s
1Ba
lkh11
04
70
02
63
00
55
10
02
14
21
62
30
110
00
00
29
00
00
00
0
2Sa
man
gan
40
13
00
04
00
04
00
00
01
20
13
10
04
00
00
00
40
00
00
00
3Gh
azni
10
10
00
01
00
01
00
00
00
00
10
00
10
10
00
00
10
00
00
00
4Ja
wzjan
40
22
00
21
10
03
10
00
01
20
02
02
01
10
00
22
20
00
00
00
5Sa
r-e-p
ul1
01
00
00
10
00
10
00
00
00
01
00
10
00
00
10
10
00
00
00
0
6Fa
ryab
40
31
00
13
00
03
10
00
10
00
31
03
01
00
00
31
30
00
00
00
7Ba
ghlan
61
32
01
22
01
31
10
12
11
20
04
20
02
02
10
00
60
00
00
01
8Ku
nduz
50
41
00
50
00
40
10
01
03
10
02
30
01
11
11
01
40
00
00
00
9Ba
dakh
shan
20
20
01
10
00
20
00
00
01
01
00
02
00
00
20
02
00
00
00
00
10Ta
khar
41
12
01
11
01
21
00
12
20
00
04
00
02
20
00
00
40
00
00
00
11Ba
dghi
s2
02
00
00
11
00
11
00
00
00
11
10
10
01
01
00
11
00
00
00
0
12He
rat
100
82
00
00
100
16
30
00
02
11
42
62
02
31
21
13
70
00
00
00
13Ka
pisa
40
31
00
04
00
13
00
00
01
21
01
21
00
21
10
00
40
00
00
00
14Pa
rwan
40
22
00
03
10
03
10
10
01
21
00
21
10
40
00
00
40
00
00
00
15Ka
bul
51
22
00
04
01
03
10
10
04
00
01
40
01
30
10
00
50
00
00
00
16Pa
njsh
ir1
00
10
00
10
00
10
00
00
01
00
01
00
01
00
00
01
00
00
00
0
17W
arda
k1
01
00
00
01
00
01
00
00
00
10
00
10
01
00
00
01
00
00
00
0
18Lo
gar
10
10
01
00
00
10
00
00
00
01
00
00
10
00
01
01
00
00
00
00
19Ni
ngar
har
150
78
00
24
90
67
20
00
18
51
010
50
00
02
73
30
150
08
00
00
20Ku
nar
40
22
00
10
30
01
30
00
02
20
04
00
00
04
00
00
40
04
00
00
21La
ghm
an4
01
30
02
11
01
21
00
02
20
00
22
00
03
10
00
04
00
30
00
0
22Pa
ktia
20
11
00
00
20
01
10
00
00
20
00
11
00
02
00
00
20
00
00
00
23Kh
ost
10
00
10
00
10
01
00
00
00
10
00
10
00
00
10
00
10
00
00
00
24Pa
ktika
10
01
00
01
00
01
00
00
00
10
01
00
00
10
00
00
10
00
00
00
25Ba
mian
20
20
00
00
20
00
20
00
00
01
10
01
10
00
10
12
00
00
00
00
26Da
ikund
i2
01
10
00
20
01
01
00
10
10
00
10
10
10
10
00
02
00
00
00
0
27He
lman
d4
00
40
00
04
00
03
00
00
01
12
31
00
02
11
00
13
00
00
00
0
28Ka
ndah
ar2
02
00
00
02
00
02
00
00
00
00
02
00
00
02
00
20
00
00
00
0
29Fa
rah
10
10
00
00
10
00
10
00
00
00
00
10
00
00
10
01
00
00
00
00
30Za
bul
10
01
00
00
10
00
10
00
00
00
11
00
00
01
00
00
10
00
00
00
31Ur
ozga
n1
01
00
00
01
00
01
00
00
00
10
10
00
00
10
00
01
00
00
00
0
Tota
l11
03
5947
14
1940
443
2249
341
46
929
2913
1650
3620
426
2618
227
1020
900
015
00
01
Plan
t Hei
ght (
cm)
Ure
a
Appl
icat
ion
Pest
/Dise
ase
Shor
tage
of W
ater
Nat
ural
Disa
ster
Date
of P
lant
ing
Emer
ging
% o
f Ger
min
atio
nIr
riga
tion
Freq
uenc
y
Wee
ding
Page 13 of 25
7 FIELD DAY PROGRAM
Field day programs are held as a means to train non-demonstration farmers on modern farm
management practices. By holding field days, NEI is able to demonstrate new farming
techniques, discuss issues such as seed rate, land preparation, fertilizing, the soybean value
chain, and good harvesting methods. During this time, NEI staff also administered a nodulation
test and showed farmers the benefits of using Urea fertilizer for soil fertility.
A total of 35 field days were conducted in 23 provinces in 2016. Out of 35 field day program 4
field day conducted for women farmers.
7.1 METHODOLOGY Organization of formal field days to take place at demonstration plots
Encourage and invite neighboring farmers to come and observe new production and
harvesting techniques administered by the demonstration farmers.
Utilize demonstration plots in order to train and coach farmers.
Keep track of input/output data and share analysis results with farmers.
Organize and conduct guided visits to the plot at strategic points during soil preparation,
planting, growing and harvesting.
7.2 PROGRAM BENEFITS Opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge between farmers.
Opportunity to explain the benefits and uses for soybeans to the farmers, as well as the
soybean value chain.
In depth explanations on seed rates, land preparations, methods of planting, etc.
Insects and disease management advice.
Weed control advice.
Fertilizer and soil fertility advice.
Harvest methods recommendations.
Opportunity to discuss some of the main constraints of this crop.
Opportunity to discuss the benefits of Soybean Farmer Association, and gain support
regarding the establishment of new ones in their areas.
The table on the following page provides Field Day details.
Page 14 of 25
# Region Province Village District Total District
Participation
Total Farmers
1 North West
Jawzjan Tonokae Uzbekia
Sheberghan 3 63
2 Shor tepa Qarqin 2 49 3 Saripul Afardeh Saripul
center 1 46
4 Faryab Deh azizan Maimana 5 116
5 Center Parwan Tilanchi Charikar 2 74 6 Qala Sahra Jabal Saraj 2 60 7
Kabul Qala Murad
Bike Shakardara 8 79
8 Qala Naeem Char Asiab 5 60 9
Kapisa
Dehbabi Center 2 60 10 Jaldak First Unit 2 65 11 Durbafan Center 1 45 12 Ghazni Koshk Center 3 38 13 Panjshir Bakhshi khail Rokhar 4 50 14 Parwan Dasht Ofian Charikar 1 30 15 North
East Badkhshan Ass Faiz Abad 4 68
16 Baghlan Hijrat Abad Doshi 6 67 17 Takhar Haji Pahlawan Baharak 4 72 18 Kunduz Bakhmal Kocha Imam Sahib 5 62 19 Takhar Bagh Bayan
Sharqi Dasht-e-
Qala 4 55
20 East Ningarhar Joi-10 Behsood 6 60 21 Nawjoi Kuz-kunar 4 60 22 Laghman Wakeel abad Mheterlam 4 60 23 Kunar Dandona Assadabad 4 60 24 West Badghis Chahar Bagh
(gharghiato) Qala-e-Naw 4 43
25
Herat
Urdo baq Guzara 3 59
26 Navin Sofla Engel 5 53
27 Maraghiz Engel 1 53 28 Highland Daikundi Chaw Dasht Nili 7 47 29 Bamyan Mullah Ghulam
Research farm Center of Bamyan
3 42
30 North
Balkh
Safi Sholgara 1 75 31 Poshti Bagh Dehadadi 10 103 32 Poshti Bagh Dehadadi 2 50
33 Samangan Tangi Yaqob Daresufe Payin
2 50
34 South East
Khost Mardi Khil Khost Center
2 73
35 Paktia Center 4 77 Total 23 35 126 2,124
Page 15 of 25
8 YIELD ESTIMATION
In addition to the monitoring program, NEI also conducts a yield estimation survey of the farms
in order to predict total soybean production by province. The table below shows yield
estimations for each of the farmers:
Table 4 Yield Estimation
# Province District
Estimated Soy Yield per Jerib
# Province District
Estimated Soy Yield per Jerib
1
Nangarhar
Behsood 488 56
Balkh
Sholgara 939 2 Kuz-Kunar 464 57 Dehdadi 611 3 Goshta 545 58 Dawlatabad 367 4 Kot 595 59 Shertepa 532 5 Ghanikhil 440 60
Samangan
Dar-i-SufPayan
413
6 Surkhrood 512 61 Dar-i-SufBala 393 7 Dara-Noor 477 62 HazratSultan 0 8 Dehbala 560 63 Aibak 343 9 Mumandara 616 64 Kabul Shakardara 413
10 Achin 553 65 Ferza 718 11 Rodat 588 66 QaraBagh 550 12 Kama 656 67 Dehsabz 0 13 Battikot 420 68 CharAsiab 385 14 Spinghar 659 69 Ghazni Center 374 15 Dorbaba 447 70 Logar Center 310 16
Kunar
Assadabad 439 71 Wardak Narkh 200 17 Watapoor 521 72 Panjshir Rokha 558 18 Narang 527 73 Kapisa Center 598 19 Chawki 479 74 FirstUnit 560 20
Laghman
Mehtarlam 527 75 SecondUnit 457 21 Qarghae 563 76 Nejrab 500 22 Alishang 454 77 Parwan Bagram 200 23 Alingar 568 78 SayedKhil 200 24 Khost Center 451 79 Jabalusiraj 360 25
Paktia GardizCenter 605 80 Center 490
26 Sayedkaram 173 81 Bamian Saighan 490 27 Paktika Sharana 420 82 Center 238 28
Faryab
Maimanacen 556 83 Daikundi Center 280 29 Khojasabzpo N/A 84 Kiti 272.5 30 Pashtoonkot 524 85 Helmand CantralArea 338.5 31 Dawlatabad 433 86 NadAli 400 32
Jozjan
Sheberghan 654 87 Nawa 386 33 Khamab 544 88 Garamsir 386 34 Qarqin 655 89 Kandahar dand
35 Faizabad 627 90 karz
36 Saripul Saripul 690 91 Farha Cantar 386 37 Badghis Qadis 400 92 Zabul Cantar
38 QalaNaw 631 93 Uorzgan Cantar 386
Page 16 of 25
# Province District
Estimated Soy Yield per Jerib
# Province District
Estimated Soy Yield per Jerib
39
Herat
Kohsan 568 94 Baghlan Baghlan-e-mark
386
40 Shindand 798 95 Pol-e-khumri 548 41 Karukh 475 96 Nahrin 334 42 Zandajan 434 97 Doshi 253 43 Obe 717 98 Khenjan 940 44 RabatSanghy 473 99 Andrab 0 45 Pashtonzargh 429 100 Kunduz Kunduzcenter 327 46 Engel 853 101 AliAbad 425 47 Guzara 576 102 ImamSahib 519 48 Guzara 694 103 KhanAbad 495 49
Balkh
Charbolak 0 104 Chardara 785 50 Chemtal 655 105 Badkhshan FaizAbad 553 51 Kaldar 488 106 Baharak 427 52 Kholm 0 107 Takhar Taloqan 423 53 NahriShahi 438 108 Baharak 560 54 Balkh 394 109 YangiQala 410 55 Sholgara 758 110 Dasht-e-Qala 792
9 HARVESTING PROGRAM
During the harvesting period, NEI keeps regular contact with the farmers to ensure that
appropriate procurement can be done upon completion of the harvest. Of the total yield
produced by each farmer, 50% is kept for home consumption while the other 50% is purchased
by NEI.
Based on actual yield data from the demonstration farmers, soybean production has been
divided into 3 categories, as described below.
High product (600 kg – 950 kg) per jerib
Medium product (400 kg - 600 kg) per jerib
Low product (270 kg- 400 kg) per jerib
Table 5 Soybean Production by Category
# Category Number of Demonstration Plots
Percentage
1 High (600-950) 19 22%
2 Medium (400-600) 45 43%
3 Low (1700-400) 38 30%
4 Damaged by Natural Disaster 7 5%
5 Total 109 100%
Page 17 of 25
Table 6 Complete Data from Demonstration Farmers
#Pr
ovinc
eIn
tervie
ws
Soil
Samp
ling
No
Plan
ting
April
May
June
Stine
3300
Stine
3870
Stine
#
1
Hwan
g
Keum
Raise
d
Bed
Row
Broa
dcas
t100
%95
%90
%85
%0%
01
23
02
46
810
11+
Yes
NoYe
sNo
Yes
NoYe
sNo
High
Mediu
mLo
w
1Nan
garha
r15
50
08
77
08
150
06
54
00
00
150
00
310
20
01
147
80
150
154
110
2Kun
er4
20
02
20
40
04
00
01
30
00
04
00
02
60
00
13
04
04
04
01
3
3Lag
hman
42
00
22
10
03
40
01
21
00
00
40
00
22
00
00
41
30
40
41
21
4Kh
ost1
10
00
11
00
01
00
00
10
00
00
30
00
01
00
10
01
01
02
00
1
5Pak
tia2
20
01
12
00
02
00
00
20
00
00
20
00
01
10
02
11
02
02
00
2
6Pak
tika
10
00
01
10
00
00
10
01
00
00
01
00
00
01
00
10
10
10
10
01
7Fary
ab4
10
03
14
00
04
00
00
31
00
04
00
00
01
30
04
31
22
04
21
1
8Jozj
an4
00
11
24
00
04
00
02
02
00
04
00
00
01
30
13
40
22
04
02
2
9Sari
Pul
10
00
10
10
00
10
00
01
00
00
10
00
00
01
00
11
01
00
11
00
10Ba
dghis
20
00
20
20
00
20
01
10
00
00
20
00
00
02
00
20
20
20
20
02
11He
rat10
20
08
26
00
410
00
12
70
00
05
50
00
01
45
64
28
19
010
16
3
12Ba
lkh11
60
04
79
02
011
00
03
62
00
06
50
11
00
36
83
38
110
29
36
0
13Sa
mang
an4
30
01
34
00
04
00
00
40
00
04
00
00
10
30
22
13
13
13
03
0
14Ka
bul
52
01
40
50
00
50
00
04
10
10
13
00
11
21
00
51
41
41
40
22
15Gh
azni
11
00
10
10
00
10
01
00
00
00
03
00
00
01
01
00
10
10
10
01
16Lo
gar
11
00
10
10
00
10
00
10
00
00
01
00
00
00
10
11
00
10
11
00
17Wa
rdak
10
00
10
10
00
00
10
10
00
00
01
00
00
00
11
00
10
10
10
01
18Pa
njshir
10
00
10
10
00
00
10
01
00
00
01
00
00
10
00
10
10
10
10
10
19Ka
pisa
41
00
40
40
00
21
11
03
00
00
04
00
00
12
11
30
40
40
42
11
20Pa
rwan
44
00
22
40
00
40
00
03
10
00
04
00
00
00
43
13
10
40
42
02
21Ba
mian
20
00
20
00
20
02
00
11
00
00
02
00
00
20
00
20
20
20
20
02
22Da
ikund
i2
20
01
12
00
00
20
00
20
00
02
00
00
11
00
20
02
02
02
00
2
23He
lman
d4
40
00
41
00
34
00
00
40
00
04
00
00
04
00
40
31
22
13
01
2
24Ka
ndah
ar2
20
20
02
00
02
00
00
02
00
02
00
00
00
20
20
20
02
11
01
0
25Fa
rah1
10
01
01
00
01
00
00
10
00
01
00
00
00
10
10
10
10
10
00
0
26Za
bul
11
00
01
10
00
10
00
00
10
00
10
00
00
01
01
01
01
00
10
01
27Uo
rzgan
10
00
10
10
00
10
00
00
10
00
10
00
00
01
01
00
11
00
10
01
28Ba
ghlan
62
10
32
50
00
50
00
31
10
00
32
00
12
20
00
50
50
50
50
23
29Ko
nduz
53
01
31
50
00
50
05
00
00
00
05
00
03
20
03
25
01
40
51
22
30Ba
dakh
shan
20
00
20
20
00
20
01
10
00
00
11
00
00
01
12
01
10
20
21
10
31Ta
khar
42
00
13
40
00
40
02
11
00
00
31
00
00
31
01
31
30
40
40
22
Total
110
501
561
4383
44
1810
05
419
2454
120
10
#44
01
1026
2532
1943
6642
6715
947
103
1945
38
Date
of Pl
antin
gW
eedin
gAc
tual
Yield
Shor
tage
of W
ater
Extra
Urea
Appli
cat
Irrig
ation
Freq
uenc
yEm
ergin
gMe
thod
of Pl
antin
gVa
riety
Pest/
Disea
se
Natu
ral
Disa
ster
Page 18 of 25
Table 7 Demonstration Farmer Actual Yield per Jerib and per Acre
Province Yield (KG per Jerib)
Yield (KG per
Acre)
Province Yield (KG per Jerib)
Yield (KG per
Acre)
Nangarhar 463 1158 Balkh 950 2375
493 1233 585 1463
517 1293 467 1167
533 1333 504 1260
415 1038 Samangan 400 1000
463 1158 507 1267
490 1225 0 0
420 1050 429 1073
630 1575 Kabul 286 714
540 1350 525 1313
603 1508 560 1400
650 1625 0 0
410 1025 333 833
643 1608 Ghazni 372 929
461 1153 Logar 387 968
Kunar 375 938 Wardak 211 526
575 1438 Panjshir 417 1042
125 313 Kapisa 400 1000
130 325 857 2143
Laghman 315 788 200 500
542 1354 622 1556
500 1250 Parwan 333 832
616 1540 349 872
Khost 170 425 782 1955
Paktia 300 750 556 1390 200 500 Bamian 338 846
Paktika 385 963
492 1230
Faryab 557 1393 Daikundi 327 817
457 1143
353 882
563 1407 Helmand 250 625
377 943 527 1318
Jozjan 492 1229 288 720
370 925 0 0
365 913 Kandahar 0 0
470 1176
400 1000
Sari pul 765 1912 Farha 0 0
Badghis 389 972 Zabul 350 875 344 860 Uorzgan 380 950
Page 19 of 25
Province Yield (KG per Jerib)
Yield (KG per
Acre)
Province Yield (KG per Jerib)
Yield (KG per
Acre)
Herat 480 1200 Baghlan 420 1050
491 1227 336 840
216 541 294 735
469 1171 280 700
640 1600 438 1094
436 1091 0 0
510 1274 Kunduz 180 450
528 1320 373 933
388 970 467 1167
240 600 507 1267
Balkh 0 0 681 1703
833 2083 Badkhshan 469 1173
500 1250
756 1890
0 0 Takhar 428 1069
420 1050 490 1225
400 1000 350 875
700 1750 350 875
Page 20 of 25
9.1 POST-HARVEST PURCHASE OF SOYBEANS Once the farmers have completed their harvest, NEI will purchase between 50%-60% of the
produced soybeans from them. The remainder of the soybeans will be used by the farmers and
their families for household consumption.
Figure 2 Demonstration Farmers’ Soybean Production Usage Details
10 CONCLUSION
The demonstration plot program was completed successfully, with positive feedback from the
farmers. Through trainings and support, NEI has created a platform for sustainability in
soybean production, and helped improve the livelihoods and health of farmers and their
families. Afghan farmers are now able to grow and produce soybeans on their lands and
continue to benefit from its income and nutrition. The majority of farmers involved in the
demonstration plots this year have shown great interest in continuing the cultivation of
soybeans in the future. Overall farming techniques, land management and farmer interest
towards soybeans has improved significantly through the demonstration plot program.
20%
10%
12%
46%
Home consumpion
Share with relatives
Keep as seed for next year
Sell to NEI
Page 21 of 25
11 PHOTOS
Demonstration Farmer Identification
Demonstration Farmer and Districts Extension Managers Training
Page 22 of 25
Demonstration Farmer and Districts Extension Managers Training
Demonstration Farm Site Monitoring, Herat and Jawzjan Provinces
Page 23 of 25
Demonstration Farmers Field Day, Parwan and Kabul Province
Page 24 of 25
Demonstration Farmers Field Day, Parwan and Kabul Province
Page 25 of 25
Soybean Harvesting Machinery