September 2015—Before the Sail Food Co. started to produce and sell Afghanistan’s favorite puffed potato snack, kurkure, in 2010, the snack was imported from Pakistan. But the company’s owner, Sherin Jan, knew there was potential for growth and expansion to other products.

In February 2014, Jan applied to USAID’s Assistance in Building Afghanistan by Developing Enterprises program, which supports the growth of small and medium enterprises. Jan developed a business plan and identified the machinery he needed to expand.

The company acquired a puffed snack production line and new packing machines in March 2015. “Our small machine could only produce 100 kilograms per hour, but this new production line can simultaneously process 10 different kinds of kurkure at 350 kilograms per hour. It was a huge difference,” said Jan.

The company doubled its output and hired 81 production, packaging and marketing staff. It also expanded distribution beyond Jalalabad, to include Laghman, Kunar, Nooristan and Kabul. Corn and potato farmers also benefited from Sail Food’s booming sales.

Besides producing different types of kurkure, the company also started producing four different types of puffed snacks.

“We are not the sole beneficiaries of the expansion,” said Jan. “Many farming families found a market for their produce. On top of that, we are providing a better alternative to imported products.”

The four-year Assistance in Building Afghanistan by Developing Enterprises project started in October 2012. It has helped more than 200 small and medium enterprises to expand in 10 provinces across Afghanistan.

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