Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

This requires integrating and upgrading existingprivate and public sector networks and investingin essential infrastructure projects thatshorten trade distances, reduce costs and increaseproductivity, encouraging entrepreneursto expand private sector activity.In implementing the ARDZ, the Governmentwill:• identify and map agricultural growthzones;• quantify the necessary factors required foraccelerated growth within each zone;• identify key competitive product valuechains and the connector firms that drivethese value chains;• develop plans to extend the reach of agriculturalzones into more remote rural areas;• ensure rural development activities arenational in scope and linked to the agriculturalgrowth zone plans; and• mobilize private sector investment and operationsas the key element in the successof the agricultural growth zone initiative.To date, five distinct agricultural growthzones have been identified:• a North Western Zone centered on theprimary market town of Mazar-i-Sharifthat includes ten secondary market townsand which is well positioned to take advantageof trade linkages with the CentralAsian Republics;• a North Eastern Zone centered on the primarymarket town of Kunduz that includesseven secondary market towns and which,with the new bridge at Shirkhan, is wellpositioned for trade with Tajikistan and,with good road connections to Urumqi,with China;• a Central Zone centered on the primarymarket town of Kabul that includes thirteensecondary towns and which is linkedwith the important market center in Jalalabadand the regional market in Peshawar,Pakistan;• a South Eastern Zone centered on the primarymarket town of Kandahar and whichincludes four secondary towns (one ofwhich is the important agricultural productiontown in Lashkargah) and which islinked to the regional market in Quetta,Pakistan; and• a Western Zone which is centered on theprimary market town of Herat and whichincludes four secondary market towns andwhich has linkages to markets in andthrough Iran.As part of the ARDZ, the Government hasbegun the process of establishing the ExecutiveManagement Unit with Presidentialauthority to coordinate and develop afive year action plan and organize the necessaryfunding and commitment from lineMinistries and donors so as to establish aprogram implementation plan. This unitwill ensure critical infrastructure, such aspower, water, transportation links, telecommunications,financial services andvocational programs are available. TheUnit will work with relevant Ministries toensure priority is given to providing servicesin these zones. (See ANDS VolumeTwo for more details)Expected OutcomesThe Agriculture and Rural Development expectedoutcomes are as follows:• Strengthened Local Governance: Functioningformal and informal local governance,including social and economic activitiesimplemented and maintained by communitiesthat contribute to the human capitaldevelopment and improved livelihoods.Improved management of local natural resourcesincluding clarifying the legal statusof natural resources, roles of both communitiesand institutions in governance andmanagement will help ensure food security,contribute to poverty alleviation andimprove both ecological integrity and thenatural resource base.• Poverty Reduction and Food Security: TheNational Food Security Program (NFSP)will increase household food security andnutritional status while contributing to nationalfood security and economic growthin rural areas.92Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS)