Growing social and economic troubles in Afghanistan and increasing international focus on the country are certain to make 2009 a decisive year. With the world’s eyes now back on Afghanistan, USAID’s Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Program is stepping-up its efforts to revitalize the country’s agriculture sector by organizing a series of agriculture fairs to market and promote agriculture products to national and international buyers. The AgFairs give both insiders and outsiders the opportunity to exchange ideas on how to improve agricultural production and agribusiness in Afghanistan, form partnerships, facilitate business deals, and demonstrate improved technologies and inputs.

The AgFairs will have a continued focus on expanding export production by leveraging business deals between prospective buyers and sellers of fresh and value-added products. To take full advantage of these occasions, ASAP will make wise use of available resources to ensure that a local Afghan association is prepared to take responsibility for organizing future AgFairs own its own. 2009 will be a year to demonstrate an ability to perpetuate continuity in successful programming, professional performance and local ownership after ASAP concludes it mission in 2010. Through ASAP’s demonstrated buyer-led approach and emphasis on sustainability and profitability, it is expected that AgFairs will continue to be at the vanguard of agricultural development in Afghanistan, providing ever-expanding possibilities to all interested Afghan and regional stakeholders well into the future.