To the casual observer, a donkey dress-up contest may not appear to be an effective economic indicator. However, to thousands of visitors at the first annual Regional Agricultural Trade Fair in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, the donkey beauty pageant represents an economy that yields fresh opportunities every day.

Over two days this summer, 11,000 visitors descended upon the newly renovated Jalalabad Exhibition Center, taking in more than 140 stands. Organized by DAI’s Alternative Livelihoods Program for the Eastern Region (ALP/E), the event brought together a range of actors within agricultural value chains. Farmers, farmer associations, input suppliers, research centers, traders, and service providers all turned out to take advantage of this unprecedented business opportunity. 

“Never in the history of our country had we had the opportunity to participate in an agricultural festival to show our products, to know what other farmers are doing, and to meet buyers,” said Mohibullah, a local farmer.

Traditional Pashto musicians performed as visitors browsed the stands and exhibitors made new contacts while showing off their products, services, and techniques. Visitors also enjoyed livestock contests, bodybuilder line-ups, and challenges involving feats of strength.

An inclusive event, the Trade Fair shed cultural limitations and featured nine stalls organized and staffed by women entrepreneurs. The women displayed and sold their goods, making practical and symbolic steps in the fight for gender equity.

Many dignitaries attended, including officials from local and regional government, USAID, and the Nangarhar Valley Development Authority (NVDA). “It is a great achievement for the farmers, as they can share their skills and exchange their experiences … I hope in the future we will be able to have more fairs such as this in our region,” said Dr. Mohammad Asif Oazi Zada, the NVDA director .

Launched by DAI in 2005, ALP/E coordinates a comprehensive economic development plan that involves provincial government, trade associations, and local farmers. By creating licit livelihood options, the four-year, USAID-funded project strives to reduce regional dependence on poppy production while promoting broad-based economic development. A key component of the project’s strategy is the introduction of high-value crops that can be sold domestically and internationally. Over one recent four-month period, ALP/E distributed seeds and fertilizers to 90,000 farmers. 

More than 50 project staff contributed to make the Regional Agricultural Trade Fair a success: technical staff collaborated with government officials and nongovernmental organizations, infrastructure specialists worked with 80 local laborers to renovate the event site, and operations specialists facilitated transportation, security, and other logistics.