What does it mean to take context seriously for rural differentiation? Lessons from Afghanistan

From 2001 to 2021, the development vision for Afghanistan was based on a market-driven transformation of agriculture. Billions of dollars were spent with little success, and with even fewer benefits being enjoyed by the poor and those who were food insecure. A significant reason for this failure is that a single model was used of how the rural economy works, leading to national programmes that were inappropriate for most of the population.

There was an unwillingness to consider the huge diversity in local economies, in households within those economies, or in individuals in extended family households.

This policy brief examines how a one-size-fits-all approach to agricultural development in Afghanistan overlooked the diversity of rural economies and households, limiting the effectiveness and equity of aid investments. It is part of a series arguing that aid efforts in the country missed opportunities for more effective, context-aware interventions.