DATES: May 2008 - October 2011
Through a dynamic partnership with the public and private sector, the Global Development Alliance for Strengthening Market Chains for Afghan Grapes and Pomegranates bolsters the competitiveness, productivity, and sales of participants involved in agricultural enterprises. The project aims to increase capacity, jobs, and sales for Afghan participants in the grape and pomegranate value chains by meeting domestic, regional, and international product-quality standards. Project activities address these value chains through improved production techniques, processing for added value, technical assistance, and resources for business expansion and growth, and improved marketing channels and linkages. Mercy Corps and Alliance members Bagram and Roshan facilitate linkages between Afghan producers and rural and urban markets in Afghanistan, as well as open new export markets in the region and abroad. The project is designed to achieve sustainability by ensuring the interventions are based on sound market principles and market-driven solutions. The active engagement of stakeholders along the value chain will strengthen the overall agribusiness market and ensure sustainable market linkages long after the project is completed. [[nid:51006]]