Kabul, Afghanistan – Women entrepreneurs from across Afghanistan gathered Aug. 3 to exchange ideas and close business deals during the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Women in Agribusiness Networking Conference.  

During the conference, 77 female entrepreneurs from Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Herat and Nangarhar discussed best practices in producing and selling their products – from jams and jellies to dried fruits and saffron. They also learned about government resources available to them to help support their businesses. The USAID Regional Agricultural Development Program-South (RADP-S) organized the conference, which saw participation from two female members of parliament, along with representatives from the Afghan Government and civil society.

“First-time participation of women from different provinces in such a fashion is valuable and beneficial,” said Nasima Niazi, a member of the Parliament from Helmand Province. “They are able to exchange ideas, learn how to best produce their products, and work with each other to find solutions to common problems." 

Women’s agribusinesses outside of Kabul City consist largely of women producing and selling from their homes. By creating linkages with each other and more established agribusinesses, women will be able to promote and sell their unique products in larger markets.

USAID’s support for women’s involvement in Afghanistan’s agriculture sector complements USAID initiatives that promote women’s political empowerment, leadership development, and engagement with civil society.