WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
29 October 2012 
 (12-5893) 
Working Party on the Accession of 
the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Original:   English 
 
 
 
  
ACCESSION OF AFGHANISTAN 
 
Domestic Support and Export Subsidies in the Agricultural Sector 
 
  The following submission, dated 22 October 2012, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. 
 
_______________ 
 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 2 Supporting Table DS:1 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Measures exempt from the reduction commitment "Green Box" 
Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to 
criteria in Annex 2 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture Year Monetary value of 
measure in year in 
question    
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 5 
Paragraph 2:  General Services 
Para 2 a:  Research, including 
general research Establishment of a comprehensive Natural 
Resource Management monitoring and surveillance 
scheme; Evidence-based policy formulation and establishment of regulatory framework for natural 
resources management     2009 23,352,500 Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 
Livestock of Afghanistan, Operating budget 
data 2010 94,955,127 
2011 109,839,240 
2009-2011 Average 76,048,956 
Para 2 b:  Pest and disease control Prevention and control of animal, rodent and insect 
diseases; Improve of capac ity of state veterinary 
service 2009 167,182,668 Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 
Livestock of Afghanistan, Operating budget data 
2010 431,614,216 
2011 343,918,402 
2009-2011 Average 314,238,429 
Para 2 d:  Extension and advisory services, including the 
provision of means to facilitate 
the transfer of information and 
the results of research to 
producers and consumers Dissemination of best practices and strengthening 
the technical skills of community based natural 
resource management  2009 29,190,624 Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 
Livestock of Afghanistan, Operating budget 
data 2010 67,825,091 
2011 36,613,080 
2009-2011 Average 44,542,932 
Para 2 e:  Inspection services, 
including general inspection 
services, and inspection of 
particular products Veterinary and plant health inspection; Food safety 
inspection; Managing the quality control, 
inspection and certification system; Supporting 
private sector compliance with quality control and food safety regulations  2009 26,749,227 Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 
Livestock of Afghanistan, Operating budget 
data 2010 71,031,368 
2011 171,959,201 
2009-2011 Average 89,913,265 
Para 2 f:  Marketing and promotion services  Developing marketing information and intelligence 
systems; Organization of exhibitions and 
monitoring 2009 158,160,111 Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 
Livestock of Afghanistan, Operating budget 
data 2010 328,766,714 
2011 768,084,432 
2009-2011 Average 418,337,086  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2
 Page 3Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to 
criteria in Annex 2 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture Year Monetary value of 
measure in year in 
question    
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 5 
Para 2 g:  Infrastructural 
services, including electricity reticulation, roads and other 
means of transport, market and 
port facilities, dams and drainage schemes, and 
infrastructural work associated 
with environmental programmes   Design and implementation of watering systems;  
Providing the surveys and advise 2009 55,727,556 Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 
Livestock of Afghanistan, Operating budget data 
2010 129,484,264 
2011 263,670,777 
2009-2011 Average 149,627,532 
Para 3:  Public stockholding for 
food security purposes Contingency Fund for Purchase of Wheat 2009 4,750,000,000 Ministry of Finance of Afghanistan, 
Operating budget data, Afghanistan 
Statistical Yearbook 2010 1,500,000,000 
2011 0 
2009-2011 Average 2,083,333,333 
Para 8:  Payments for relief 
from natural disaster Payments to farmers in the Northern regions, for 
relief from severe drought in 2011 2009 0 Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 
Livestock of Afghanistan; Operating budget 
data 2010 0 
2011 776,000,000 
2009-2011 Average 258,666,667 
  TOTAL 2009 5,210,362,686   
2010 2,623,676,780 
2011 2,470,085,132 
2009-2011 Average 3,434,708,199 
 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 4 Supporting Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Measures exempt from the reducti on commitment - Special and Differential Treatment - "Development Programmes" 
 
Measure type Name and description of measure with reference 
to criteria in Article 6.2 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture Monetary value of measure in 
year in question  
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 
NIL 
 
  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2
 Page 5Supporting Table DS:3 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Measures exempt from the reduc tion commitment - Direct Payments under Production- Limiting Programmes - "Exempt Direct Payments"  
Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to 
criteria in Article 6.5 of th e Agreement on Agriculture Monetary value of measure 
in year in question  
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 
NIL 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 6 Supporting Table DS:4 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Calculation of the Total Aggregate Measurement of Support 
Description of basic products (including non-
product-specific AMS) Product-specific AMS (from 
Supporting  Tables DS:5 to DS:7 
below)  
(AF) Product-specific equivalent 
measurements of support (from 
Supporting Table DS:8 below)  
(AF) Current Total AMS (aggregate)  
(AF) 
1 2 3 4 
NIL 
 
  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2
 Page 7Supporting Table DS:5 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Product-Specific Aggregate Measuremen ts of Support:  Market Price Support 
Description of 
basic products Calendar/marketing 
year Measure 
type(s) Applied 
administered 
price  
(AF/tonne) External 
reference price 
(AF/tonne) Eligible 
production 
(tonnes) Associated 
fees/levies 
(AF) Total market 
price support 
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 
NIL 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 8 Supporting Table DS:6 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Product-Specific Aggregate Meas urements of Support:  Non-Exempt Direct Payments 
Description 
of basic 
products Calendar/marketing  
year Measure type(s) Applied 
administered 
price External 
reference 
price Eligible 
production 
(tonnes) Total 
price-
related 
direct 
payments 
(AF) Other 
non-
exempt 
direct 
payments 
(AF) Associated 
fees/  
levies Total 
direct 
payments 
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 
NIL 
  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2
 Page 9Supporting Table DS:7 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Product-Specific Aggregate Measurements  of Support:  Other Product-Specific Support and Total Pr oduct-Specific AMS 
Description of 
basic products Calendar/ 
marketing 
year Measure 
type(s) Other 
product-
specific 
budgetary 
outlays Other 
product-
specific 
support 
(include 
calculation 
details) Associated 
fees/levies Total 
product-
specific 
support 
(AF) Market price 
support 
(Supporting 
Table DS:5) 
(AF) Non-exempt 
direct 
payments 
(Supporting 
Table DS:6) 
(AF) Total 
AMS 
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 
(4+5-6) 8 9 10 
(7+8+9) 11 
NIL 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 10 Supporting Table DS:8 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Product-Specific Equivalent Measurements of Support 
Description 
of basic 
products Calendar/marketing 
year Measure 
type(s) Applied 
administered 
price Production 
eligible to 
receive 
applied 
administered 
price (tonnes) Market 
price 
support 
budgetary 
outlays 
(AF) Equivalent 
measurement 
of support 
(include 
calculation 
details)  Non-
exempt 
direct 
payments 
(AF) Other 
product-
specific 
support 
(AF) Associated 
fees/levies 
(AF) Total 
monetary 
value of 
equivalent 
commitment 
(AF) Data 
sources 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 
NIL 
  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2
 Page 11Supporting Table DS:9 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Non-Product-Specific AMS 
Measure type(s) Calendar/marketing 
year Non-product-
specific 
budgetary 
outlays (AF) Other non-product-
specific support 
(include 
calculation details) Associated 
fees/levies 
(AF) Total non-product-
specific support 
(AF) Data sources 
1 2 3 4 5 6 
(3+4-5) 7 
NIL 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 12 Supporting Table ES:1 
EXPORT SUBSIDIES: AFGHANISTAN 
REPORTING PERIOD: Calendar years 2009-2011 
Export Subsidies:  Outlay and Quantity 
Description of 
products Direct 
export 
subsidies 
(AF) Sales of stocks 
(AF) Producer financed 
subsidies  
(AF) Cost reduction 
measures  
(AF) Internal 
transport 
subsidies (AF) Total product 
specific export 
subsidies  
(AF) Quantity of 
subsidized exports 
(tonnes) Data source 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 
NIL 
 
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  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Explanatory Notes 
 
Note on Funds from International Donors 
International donors play a key role in funding agricultural programmes in Afghanistan.  
This assistance is very important in improving the vi ability of the agricultural sector in Afghanistan.  
The aim of this note is to summari ze for transparency purpose the type  of activities that are funded by 
international donors.  As it is our understanding that  these external sources of funding should not be 
included in Supporting Tables DS:1-DS:9, the data  in Domestic Support Tables exclude the funds 
provided by international donors.   
 
The main Government body designing and implementi ng the agricultural policy in Afghanistan is the 
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestoc k (MAIL).  We should note, however, that a 
significant portion of the funds provided by intern ational donors for agriculture during recent years 
were directly incorporated into the Government  Budget.  The budget of MAIL consists of the 
operating budget and the development budget.  Th e development budget is funded mainly by 
international donor organizations, including the United  States Agency for International Development 
(USAID), the World Bank (WB), the Asian Devel opment Bank (ADB), the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO), the European Union (EU), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), 
the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and others.   
 
The agricultural sector of Afghanistan benefits also  from externally funded international projects. 
 
During last three years there were more than 40 inte rnational projects directed toward development of 
the agriculture sector of Afghanistan.  These inte rnational projects submit to MAIL reports on their 
activities on a regular basis. 
 
The data in Table 1 (attached) illustrate the ge neral programmes funded by international donors. 
These programmes, if included in the DS Tables, w ould meet the criteria for "Green Box".  Table 1 
also contains programmes that, if included in th e DS Tables, could be considered candidates for 
Supporting Table DS:2, as these programmes are an inte gral part of the development of agriculture 
and the rural economy in Afghanistan.  
The data in Table 2 (attached) show programm es funded by international donors, which focus on 
assisting particular products, while the data in  Table 3 are for non-product-specific programmes. 
 
 
 
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 WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 14  
 
  ANNEX 
TABLE 1 
 
Measure Funding (US$) 
2009-2011 
average Primary international donors 
Research :  Reconstruction of 12 
research houses; Provision of the 
facilities and equipment for research 
in green house research centre, and in soil laboratory in Badam Bagh; 
Rice variety selection and research; 
Development and dissemination of relevant technologies, including for 
wheat, bean and potato varieties, 
simple control method of melon fly, affordable countermeasures to 
address production is sues with fruit 
trees. 1,149,305 National Agricultural Experiment Stations 
Rehabilitation and Improvement of Rice-based 
Agriculture in Nangarhar Projects, funded by JICA; 
EU Perennial Horticulture Development Project; FAO Support to Household Food Security and Livelihood of 
Vulnerable and Food Insecure Farming Families 
Project. 
Pest and disease control :  
Distribution of veterinary packages, 
including the vaccine and medicines for treating animals; Vaccination of 
animals against Foot and Mouth 
disease, provision of de-worming tablets; Vaccination of poultry; 
Establishing the Mobile animals' 
clinics; Construction of veterinary clinic in Jaji Maidan district of 
Khost; Provision of veterinary 
clinical tools.    2,074,643 Horticulture and Livestock Project, funded by 
World Bank; Rural Microfinance and Livestock 
Support Program, funded by IFAD; Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives - North, East and West Project, 
funded by USAID; Backyard Poultry Development in 
Balkh and Jawzjan Provinces Program, funded by IFAD. 
Training services :  Provision of the 
training of orchard workers; Training 
in organizational development; 
Training workshops to the horticulture and livestock extension 
workers on the safe handling of 
agrochemicals and water pollution; Training of livestock extension 
workers, training farmers on 
improved livestock farming; 
Training on animal production 
practices; Training on potato production; Backyard poultry 
production training; Training on 
vegetable oil production practices. 1,480,498 Horticulture and Livestock Project, funded by World 
Bank; Rural Business Support Project, funded by 
ADB; EU Perennial Horticulture Development Project; 
Development of Integrated Dairy Schemes Project, funded by IFAD and Italy; Rural Microfinance and 
Livestock Support Program, funded by IFAD;  
Backyard Poultry Development in Balkh and Jawzjan Provinces Programme; Incentives Driving Economic 
Alternatives - North, East and West Project, funded by 
USAID; Seed, Fertilizer an d Vegetable Distribution, 
funded by JICA; FAO Variety and Seed Development 
Project, funded by EU; Small Farmer Livelihood and Income Enhancement in Baglan Province Project, 
funded by Germany; FAO Expanding Certified Seed 
Production and Utilization in Afghanistan Project, funded by EU. 
Extension and advisory services :  
Establishment of demonstration 
plots; Farmers training and demonstrations; Distribution of 
technical digital posters. 496,630 Rural Microfinance and Livestock Support Program, 
funded by IFAD; EU Perennial Horticulture 
Development Project; Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives - North, East and West Project, funded by 
USAID; Development of Integrated Dairy Schemes 
Projects, funded by IFAD; Rural Business Support Project, funded by ADB.  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Measure Funding (US$) 
2009-2011 
average Primary international donors 
Marketing and promotion 
services :  Development of seed 
marketing channels and promotional 
activities; Provision of market information and market assessment. 4,330,810 FAO Variety and Seed Industry Development Project 
funded by EU; Commercial Horticulture and 
Agricultural Marketing Prog ram, funded by USAID. 
Infrastructural services :  Design 
and implementation of watering 
systems; Construction of irrigation 
system; Improvement of the physical 
irrigation infrastructure, flood protection, road construction and 
rehabilitation, cleaning canals. 10,423,924 Driving Economic Alternatives  - North, East and West 
Project, funded by USAID; Small Farmer Livelihood 
and Income Enhancement in  Baglan Province Project, 
funded by Germany; Good  Performance Initiative 
Programs, funded by USAID. 
Domestic food aid :  Distribution of 
food aid to vulnerable rural 
population. 88,137,015 World Food Programme 
TOTAL OF THE ABOVE 
PROGRAMMES 108,092,825   
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES 
Investment subsidies generally 
available to agriculture :  
Preferential credits provided through 
the Agricultural Development Fund. 5,367,667 Agricultural Credit Enhancem ent Project, funded by 
USAID. 
Input subsidies  generally available 
to low-income or resource-poor 
producers:   Small grants in kind, 
provided to ultra-poor farmers, 
mainly in livestock sector; Establishment of women micro 
enterprises; Establishment of poultry 
units for rural women;  Distribution of starting poultry packages to 
women.  1,849,883 Rural Microfinance and Livestock Support Program, 
funded by IFAD;  Commercial Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Program, funded by USAID; 
Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives - North, East 
and West Project, funded by USAID. 
Support to encourage 
diversification from growing illicit 
narcotic crops :  Provision of agro-
machinery to farmers; Establishment 
of fruit orchards (apple, apricot, almond and palm) to encourage the 
inhabitants of Balkh, Baghlan, 
Daikundu, Kandahar, Hirat and other provinces in their counter narcotic 
efforts and bringing poppy 
cultivation to zero level.  2,853,251 Good Performance Initiative Program, funded by 
USAID. 
 
TOTAL OF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES 10,070,801   
 WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 16  
 
  TABLE 2 
Product and measures Funding 
2009-2011 
average 
(US$) Primary international donors 10% of 
production value 
2009-2011 
average (US$) 
Wheat:   Distribution of improved 
wheat seeds; Provision of wheat 
seeds vouchers packages; 
Distribution of fertilizer for wheat producers; Establishment of new 
seed enterprises; Construction of 
storage facilities.  63,035,244 Afghanistan Vouchers for 
Increased Production in 
Agriculture Project, funded by USAID; Seed, Fertilizer and 
Vegetable Distribution, funded by 
JICA; FAO Expanding Certified 
Seed Production and Utilization 
in Afghanistan Project, funded by EU. 181,742,234 
Potato:   Distribution of tractors to 
potato producers; Construction of 
potato storages. 1,902,737 Rural Business Support Project, 
funded by ADB. 7,240,133 
Dairy:   Establishment of animal 
feed production units; Construction 
of dairy and feed mill building and 
installation of dairy and feed mill 
plant equipment; Distribution of milk collection equipment and 
vehicles. 455,143 Development of Integrated Dairy 
Scheme in Herat Project, funded by Italy; Development of 
Integrated Dairy Scheme in 
Nangarhar Project, funded by IFAD. 97,782,400 
Poultry:   Provision of feed for 
pullets, construction of improved 
poultry houses, distribution of 
pullets. 
1,072,736 Backyard Poultry Development in 
Balkh and Jawzjan Provinces 
Programme, funded by IFAD ; Horticulture and Livestock 
Project, funded by World Bank; 
Rural Microfinance and Livestock Support Program, 
funded by IFAD; Small Farmer 
Livelihood and Income 
Enhancement in Baglan Province 
Project, funded by Germany. 2,889,900 
Honey:   Provision of equipment 
related to beekeeping; Distribution 
of honey bee hives.  
126,133 Incentives Driving Economic 
Alternatives - North, East and 
West Project, funded by USAID; 
Horticulture and Livestock Project, funded by World Bank; 
Rural Microfinance and 
Livestock Support Program, funded by IFAD; Small Farmer 
Livelihood and Income 
Enhancement in Baglan Province Project, funded by Germany.    2,466,667  WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Product and measures Funding 
2009-2011 
average 
(US$) Primary international donors 10% of 
production value 
2009-2011 
average (US$) 
Fruit:   Establishment of new 
orchards of almond, apricot, grapes, 
etc.; Distribution of fruit trees; 
Providing the facilities related to 
selling of fruits.  
5,784,607 Commercial Horticulture and 
Agricultural Marketing Program, 
funded by USAID; Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives - 
North, East and West Project, 
funded by USAID; Horticulture and Livestock Project, funded by 
World Bank; Small Farmer 
Livelihood and Income Enhancement in Baglan Province 
Project, funded by Germany.   37,081,220 
TOTAL 72,376,599   
  
 WT/ACC/SPEC/AFG/2 
Page 18  
 
  TABLE 3 
Measure Funding  
2009-2011 
average 
(US$) Primary international donors 
Mechanization: Provision of 
grants in kind: tractors, 
trailers, tractor blades, wheat 
threshers, maize shellers, etc.  11,486,460 Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Production in Agriculture 
Project, funded by USAID; Incentives Driving Economic 
Alternatives - North, East and West Project, funded by 
USAID; Rural Business Support Project, funded by ADB; Small Farmer Livelihood and Income Enhancement in 
Baghlan Province, funded by Germany; FAO Expanding 
Certified Seed Production an d Utilization in Afghanistan 
Project, funded by EU. 
Provision and distribution of  
fertilizers and pesticides 
2,064,301 Horticulture and Livestock Project, funded by World Bank; 
Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives - North, East and 
West Project, funded by USAID; Seed, Fertilizer and Vegetable Distribution Project, funded by JICA; Small Farmer 
Livelihood and Income Enhancement in Baglan Province 
Project, funded by Germany.    
Provision to farmers with inputs and tools on a preferential credit basis 259,333 Asian Development Bank 
Provision of vegetable seeds 
and improved vegetable 
varieties to horticulture producers; Provision of 
preferential credit for 
horticulture seeds; Establishment of seed 
distribution system 4,088,260 Seed, fertilizer and vegetable distribution, funded by JICA; 
Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives - North, East and 
West Project, funded by USAID; Small Farmer Livelihood and Income Enhancement in Ba glan Province Project, funded 
by Germany; FAO Variety and Seed Industry Development 
Project funded by EU; Asian Development Bank. 
TOTAL OF ALL 
MEASURES 17,898,354 10% of agriculture production value 2009-2011 average 
(US$) 
453,714,438 
 
 
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