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Add to Preferred SourcesThe European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a €5 million initiative in Kabul on September 14, 2026, to help Afghan farmers and agribusinesses reach markets, generate more reliable incomes and better withstand climate and economic shocks, according to a joint press release. The project targets vulnerable households across districts affected by food and nutrition insecurity, climate risks and limited economic opportunities. Its central aim is to build climate resilience while expanding rural livelihoods.
The initiative will support returnees, internally displaced people and host communities, with particular focus on women and youth. It responds to Afghanistan’s extreme climate vulnerability, which continues to constrain the country’s agricultural potential. The program is designed to move beyond humanitarian assistance toward more sustainable, market-oriented approaches. Beneficiary districts face overlapping pressures from food insecurity and economic fragility. The project aligns EU funding with FAO’s technical expertise in agrifood systems.
Four one-stop service hubs will be established to connect farmers and rural entrepreneurs with agricultural advice, specialized services, agribusinesses and markets. The hubs will promote improved practices and technologies while providing access to FAO’s climate analysis and early-warning information. This will help farmers make timely production and marketing decisions as conditions change. The initiative will also restore 2,000 hectares of degraded forests and rangelands. In addition, it will support 250 women- and community-led nurseries.
FAO will award matching grants and provide tailored technical and business advice to established agrifood and environmentally sustainable enterprises. Participating businesses will contribute their own resources alongside project funding, enabling them to expand processing and other services, source from more local producers and create rural jobs. “The European Union’s contribution to FAO demonstrates our continued commitment to food security and economic empowerment of the Afghan people,” said Nicola Bellomo, the new EU Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan. He added that the partnership will boost agricultural extension services and foster innovative nature-based solutions. Bellomo also highlighted improved evidence-based knowledge and analysis as a key goal.
Richard Trenchard, FAO Representative in Afghanistan, said Afghan agrifood businesses have shown real potential to grow, create jobs and connect farmers to markets, even in a highly challenging environment. He noted that the partnership will connect farmers with the knowledge, services and markets they need, while helping agribusinesses invest and expand. Trenchard stated that when farmers can produce with confidence and products can reach markets, agriculture becomes a powerful engine for recovery and resilience. The joint effort marks a shift from largely humanitarian programs toward sustainable development approaches. Together, the EU and FAO aim to unlock Afghanistan’s agricultural potential through this initiative.