FAO Distributes Improved Wheat Seeds to Afghan Women Farmers

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with support from the World Bank, has distributed packages of improved wheat seeds to women farmers in Afghanistan—an initiative that, according to the FAO, has led to an approximate one-third increase in crop productivity.

FAO findings highlight that women play a vital role in Afghanistan’s agricultural sector. They are not only responsible for feeding their families and preserving traditional farming methods but are also considered key contributors to the economic and social resilience of rural communities, especially during challenging times.

However, under Taliban rule, women’s access to agricultural resources, technical support, and essential training has been severely restricted. Many female farmers are denied land ownership and meaningful participation in agricultural markets.

Experts argue that continuing such aid, along with safeguarding women’s rights and freedoms, could accelerate progress towards food self-sufficiency in Afghanistan. But without sustained support and a formal role for women in the country’s agricultural structures, initiatives like this face significant obstacles.