Pistachios are a major export crop in the country and have the potential to be an environmentally friendly way to generate income and help vulnerable families.

But over harvesting and a lack of awareness in local communities of sustainable forest management, have recently put pistachio woodlands in serious danger.

The Reforestation and Biodiversity Conservation of Pistachio Woodland project, funded by USAID through ECODIT, set up a Pistachio Forest Management Committee to address these issues.  The project is implemented by UNOPS, in coordination with the Government of Afghanistan.

Earlier this year UNOPS organized a series of training workshops in Samangan for all committee members, shura, technical staff of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock as well as the National Environmental Protection Agency. 

During the training the participants developed forest maps, outlining pasture and grazing areas, roads and villages. The maps were also used to refine a plan to avoid overgrazing and subsequent soil erosion. Participants also had to consider the needs of local livestock and nomadic Kuchi herders passing through the forests for several months of the year.

Haji Mohammad Amin actively participated in the training and said: “I used to think just about the fruits of the pistachio forest. After this training, I know that the forest brings many more values like a clean environment. If we cut the trees from the forest, it will give us only short-term benefits, but if we don’t, it will give us fruits and other good benefits in the next 50 years and more.”

Mohammad Amin is a father of six and had difficulties providing for his family, until he became a member of the Pistachio Forest Management Committee three years ago. He said: “It totally changed my life. Thanks to the increased income, my oldest son can now go to high school in the city. I hope I will be able to provide school materials to all my children soon.”
 
The project will provide the villagers with further training on nut processing and business skills, in order to increase the sustainability and impact of the project. Environmental awareness raising activities are also planned for school local children.