Photo: Women working in Sola’s Mastoorat Food Centre supported by STFA in Nangarhar Province. © IOM

Sola, an entrepreneur living in Surkhrod District, Nangarhar Province, started producing pickles and jams from her home kitchen in 2007. Initially, it was a small family endeavor, with Sola managing the food preparation and her father handling local distribution. Yet demand for her traditional recipes steadily grew. Through disciplined savings, Sola reinvested her earnings into jars and basic solar panels. Yet without industrial-grade equipment, her production capacity eventually hit the ceiling.  

To help Sola bridge this gap and build a sustainable business, the joint programme provided targeted assistance. Sola received a comprehensive support package valued at approximately $8,578. This included a modern vegetable pulper machine, an upgraded solar power system, support for employment retention, and funding for apprenticeships.

This modernization transformed her operation. Sola’s production capacity increased by 50 percent, and the time required to process raw ingredients dropped significantly. With improved efficiency, she diversified her product line to include chili sauces, flavored vinegars, and seasonal fruit sweets.

Now officially registered as the Mastoorat Food Centre, Sola’s business has expanded its market reach from local village stalls to major retail hubs in Jalalabad City.

Beyond its commercial success, the centre has become a vital platform for women’s economic empowerment. By providing hands-on training and basic business literacy, Sola helps other women acquire the skills needed to generate income of their own. Former apprentices have even gone on to establish their own small businesses, continuing the cycle of economic independence that began in Sola’s kitchen. 

“I am thankful for the Mastoorat Food Centre for creating a safe, supportive workplace for women during challenging times,” said Nooria, a former apprentice. “I gained practical skills that now allow me to support my family independently.”