Around 14.000 grain storage silos will be distributed to farmers in nine provinces of Afghanistan, thanks to a new project funded by Germany and initiated by FAO (FNs Fødevare- og Landbrugsorganisation).
The locally produced metallic silos, with grain storage capacities ranging from 120 to 1.800 kg, will be given to individual farmers, farmers groups and cooperatives.
The aim is to help reduce post-harvest losses, improve grain quality, increase the income of farmers by allowing them to sell grain during the off-season when prices are more favourable, and enhance household food security.
The 2,4 million US dollar project will also rehabilitate or construct ten community storage warehouses in major grain-producing areas of Afghanistan this year to encourage the re-establishment of local grain markets.
Around 220 tinsmiths (blikkenslagere) and technicians in the country are currently being trained through the project in an effort to build local capacity and improve the quality of local silo production.
– The small metallic silo has been adopted by many developing countries as appropriate, affordable technology for small- and medium-scale farmers to prevent food losses, said Tim Vaessen, FAOs Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordinator in Kabul.
– The silos will have a positive socio-economic impact in the targeted communities. The training in silo production should also create additional opportunities for artisans to make metallic silos for sale to farmers in local markets, he added.
Kilde: www.fao.org
