In the heart of Qaysar district, Faryab province, Haji Dawood, a 45-year-old farmer had always dreamed of growing poplar trees, but he lacked the technical knowledge and resources. “I had a deep interest in planting poplar saplings, but they were not available in my area, and I didn’t know how to cultivate them,” he recalled.

Everything changed when he learned about DACAAR’s support. In 2020, through funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA). DACAAR provided Haji Dawood with 2000 poplar saplings for planting in one jirib (2000 m²) land. He also received 50 kg of DAP fertilizer, 100 kg of urea, and 20 kg of bean seeds for intercropping.

The results were transformative. By 2021, he earned 470,000 AFN from selling saplings and an additional 100,000 AFN from vegetables intercropped in the same land. Over the next two years, he continued to generate income, making 110,000 AFN in 2022 and 250,000 AFN in 2023. “Now, my children go to school, and our family’s living conditions have improved significantly,” he said.

Beyond financial gains, Haji Dawood mastered modern agricultural techniques—fertilizer application, intercropping, land preparation, and sapling separation for resale. Inspired by his success, he expanded his poplar plantation to 10 jeribs, expecting a future revenue of 22 million AFN.

The project not only changed his life but also created jobs for local workers. “Before, we used to throw away household waste, but now we make compost for better farming,” he explained. Satisfied with the project’s impact, he hopes for more agricultural support to empower other farmers.

With sustainability in mind, Haji Dawood envisions a bright future. As demand for poplar wood remains high, he is confident that his investment will continue to benefit his family and community for generations to come.

Written by: Israrullah Sahil