In Afghanistan’s northern Jawzjan Province, backyard poultry farming is helping families secure a steady source of food and income. For Ay Gol, a mother of eight in Khamab district, daily life was a struggle. 

With limited job opportunities and rising food prices, she often found it difficult to provide for her family. Many in her community faced similar hardships, sometimes selling their land or household items just to afford basic necessities.

Harsh conditions, worsened by drought and climate change, have forced many to migrate to urban areas or neighbouring countries in search of work. However, a poultry farming package provided by the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) Joint Programme is helping vulnerable families like Ay Gol’s become more self-reliant. Through a community-based selection process, she received 30 chickens, 150 kg of feed, feeders and drinkers, coop materials, vaccine and practical training in poultry care.

Initially unsure, Ay Gol quickly saw the benefits, and with technical support and access to veterinary service, she was able to increase egg production. “We eat more eggs, and I no longer worry about how to feed my children. Now, my family has access to nutritious food, and I can sell the extra eggs to buy essential household items,” she says.

Implemented in Aqcha, Qarqin and Khamyab districts, the programme has so far reached 300 households, most of them women-headed. Beyond individual households, local markets are also benefiting. With more families producing eggs and poultry, communities have greater access to locally-sourced food, strengthening rural economies.

Backyard poultry farming is helping women like Ay Gol feed their families and earn a stable income. Continued investment in this simple yet effective solution can transform more rural women’s lives across Afghanistan.