We all know the importance of a varied, nutritious diet. For most of us, this is an easily achievable goal, thanks to the range of convenience shops at our fingertips. 

For families living in remote rural Afghanistan, a poor diet is not a choice. It's a continuous struggle which threatens the health of families all year round. As winter sets in, this struggle becomes a real threat to their ability to survive.

In the harsh winter months, heavy snowfall covers their land, and leaves the few roads which do exist across the mountains inaccessible. This means that families are cut off from the outside world and must rely on whatever they were able to grow and store over the summer months. Which is rarely enough. Their livestock often doesn’t make it through, illness spreads and their children are put at risk of malnourishment. 

Afghanaid works with remote communities, supporting them to diversify what they grow and produce more, and helping them to plan ahead so that they can store food for themselves and their livestock over the winter months. Find out more >>

So where does fodder come in?

We're providing farmers with the updated skills and tools their need to grow enough fodder to feed their animals over winter, and keep them strong all year round. Here's four ways growing fodder is helping families to flourish:

1. Provides families with the ability to lift themselves out of poverty and live with dignity.
   Extreme weather devastates crops and keeps farming families locked in a cycle of poverty. By teaching a farmer a new skill they can diversify what they grow, giving them the opportunity to break themselves out of this cycle. This means they can take control of their lives, produce more, improve their household’s income and live with greater dignity.
   
   
2. Ensures they survive the winter.
   With a thick layer of snow covering their land, many farming families rely on their animals to survive the winter months. They use the milk from their cows, the eggs from their chickens and the wool from their sheep to make blankets to keep warm. So being able to produce enough to keep their animals healthy and strong is absolutely vital for their survival.
   
   
3. Improves nutrition and health of the family.
   Growing fodder enables families to keep their animals healthy all year round, which means they are stronger and will produce more, so farmers can feed their families nutritious food and sell the surplus in the market, providing a vital source of income. This means that they will be able to invest in improving their families’ lives further.
   
   
4. Sends children to school.
   With an extra source of income, families are able to afford to buy uniforms, stationery and textbooks required to send their children to school, so they can finish their education and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

How you can help

This winter, we're asking for your help to support more farmers and #FeedTheFuture. Donate today and change a life in a few short clicks: