From Local Farmer to International Trader, The Journey of Saed Mohammad
The Afghanistan Community Resilience Programme (ACRP) aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities by supporting sustainable livelihoods, empowering women, and promoting inclusive local economic development. The programme's key focus areas include increasing agricultural productivity, promoting diversified livelihoods, and strengthening market linkages. One of the key components of ACRP is the provision of grants and capacity-building support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enabling individuals, particularly women, to enhance their incomes, develop marketable skills, and contribute to community resilience.
This mission has proven especially vital in Badghis province, where farmers often struggle with limited access to markets, scarce resources, and recurring droughts. In Qadis district, one of the province’s agricultural hubs, farmers rely heavily on orchards and small-scale farming to sustain their families. Among them is Saed Mohammad, a dedicated farmer who has been nurturing his orchard for over two decades. As the sole breadwinner for his family of eight, including four sons and two daughters, he invested years of hard work into growing apples, grapes, pistachios, almonds, and other fruits, determined to provide for his household despite the challenges.
Saed recalls: “For years, I worked from sunrise to sunset in my orchard. My children grew up watching me care for the trees, but the hardest part was not the farming, it was finding buyers. Sometimes, I had to sell my apples for almost nothing, just to avoid waste.
His journey took a transformative turn when he became a participant in the Afghanistan Community Resilience Project (ACRP), implemented by ActionAid Afghanistan. Through the project, Said received essential agricultural tools and training that helped him improve his gardening practices, increase productivity, and learn modern techniques for orchard management. Yet the most impactful moment came when he was selected to participate in the 33rd Autumn Agricultural and Livestock Production Exhibition held in Badam Bagh, Kabul.
With ACRP’s support, Said showcased his orchard products at the exhibition, gaining exposure to both national and international buyers. Over the three days of the event, he sold all his displayed produce and secured several valuable trading deals. Most notably, he signed two major contracts, one of which involves exporting his high-quality apples to Indonesia.
Before the exhibition, Said sold his apples locally at just 30 AFN per kilogram, often struggling to find buyers even at that price. At the exhibition, however, he negotiated deals to sell his apples at 80 AFN per kilogram, securing orders for over one ton of produce. “These apples only grow in Qadis district,” Said explained. “But due to lack of market access, we used to sell them for very low prices, sometimes without finding buyers at all. Here, I found traders who not only paid 80 AFN per kilo but also plan to export them outside Afghanistan. It was the first time I felt the true value of my hard work.”
In addition to apples, Said received promising offers for his pistachios and grapes, which are also expected to enter international markets. The exposure he gained at the exhibition significantly boosted his income and opened doors to sustainable market linkages. What once was a small-scale farming operation has now evolved into a promising agribusiness with international reach.
Said expressed his excitement: “This exhibition changed everything for me. I used to think my orchard was only for survival, but now I see it as a business with a future. My children tell me they want to learn farming too, and I feel proud that they see hope in this work.”
He also shared his plans: “Next year, I want to expand my orchard and plant new varieties of apples and pistachios. I am also thinking of building a small storage facility so I can keep my products fresh longer. With the right support, I believe we can compete with international markets.”
Beyond his personal success, Said has become a role model for other farmers in his community. He often encourages them to adopt modern farming techniques and seek opportunities to connect with wider markets. “I tell my neighbors that we should not give up. If we work together, we can bring the name of Qadis to the world through our fruits. This is not just about me.it is about all of us.”
Said Mohammad’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of opportunity, training, and support. Thanks to ActionAid’s ACRP initiative, he has transitioned from a local farmer with limited market access to a successful international trader. His journey demonstrates how resilience, combined with the right resources, can transform lives and inspire communities across Afghanistan.