May 5, 2009

New Project Won—Afghanistan: Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East and West Program

ACDI/VOCA has won a $20 million subaward under the USAID-funded Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East and West program (IDEA-NEW). DAI is the prime implementer. The purpose of IDEA-NEW is to increase incentives that create jobs and sales by promoting licit and sustainable commercial agriculture and related agribusiness in provinces affected by poppy growing, thereby helping local economies transition away from dependency on illicit opium production and sales.

The development of a thriving economy in the target regions will be assisted by a range of activities including

• increasing the competitiveness and diversity of regional subsectors with clear comparative advantage (fruit, vegetables, poultry, carpets and textiles)
• improving access to markets, inputs and business services
• addressing the particular needs of women and the landless
• improving productive community infrastructure
• building capacity in both the public and private sectors

To learn more about ACDI/VOCA’s work in Afghanistan, click here.