August 5, 2010

Ambassador Eikenberry Visits Northern Afghanistan Program

ACDI/VOCA’s work ‘important and useful’ for region

U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry traveled July 15 with the governor of a northern Afghanistan province to witness ACDI/VOCA’s work in the region. The ambassador and his delegation saw demonstrations of wool spinning, silk processing and the use of two-wheel tractors, which are examples of USAID’s agribusiness projects in Afghanistan.

ACDI/VOCA helps local economies in Afghanistan transition from dependency on illicit opium production and sales by promoting licit and sustainable commercial agriculture and related agribusiness through a subgrant from DAI under the USAID-funded Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East and West (IDEA-NEW) program.

The ambassador and the governor expressed their appreciation for the demonstration and complimented the IDEA-NEW team on its dedication and commitment. Ambassador Eikenberry called the program’s work "important and useful" for the province, and the governor affirmed that the agricultural support that IDEA-NEW provides is vital for the area’s development.

For more information on IDEA-NEW.

For more information on IDEA-NEW's work promoting licit livelihoods, read our recent feature "Vulnerable Afghan Women Gain New Textile, Marketing Skills."