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AFGHANISTAN 2025. Strengthening livelihoods of rural women through food processing

18 March 2025. Parwan province, Afghanistan. Close-up of a woman’s hands chopping cucumbers for pickle production.

03/18/2025

Project ID GCP/AFG/088 /LUX

UNFAO Source FAO in Afghanistan

File size 20.62 MB

Unique ID UF19S5T

Editorial use only. Photo credit must be given. For further information contact: Photo-Library@fao.org

Background Information

In Jabal Seraj, Parwan Province, a group of women joined forces to launch a small food processing center, producing pickles, jams and tomato paste to support their families and earn an income. Their work is part of FAO’s Household Food and Livelihood Security (HFLS) project, funded by the Government of Luxembourg, which aims to strengthens livelihoods and empowers communities through improved agricultural productivity, literacy education and enhanced nutrition and sanitation awareness.
In November 2024, FAO distributed 380 food processing kits to women across the provinces of Kabul, Laghman, Logar and Parwan. With guidance from 19 women social mobilizers, they produce sauces, jams, pickles and chutneys, while FAO works to link them with viable markets.

With limited livelihood options, agriculture remains a critical pathway for women, and FAO continues to support them through innovative, principled approaches.

To date, the HFLS project has reached 59 724 people across Char Asyab, Jabal Seraj, Mohammad Agha and Qarghayi districts—supporting 8 532 families, of which 1 886 women-headed. Project participants are organized into 563 Common Interest Groups, which serve as platforms for income-generating activities and community-based support.