From a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) perspective, efforts at drug eradication in Afghanistan are being carried out through the Alternative Livelihoods Program (AL).

Efforts under the AL include economic support to farmers and small and medium business enablers with targeted activities in the Helmand and Kandahar provinces (southern Afghanistan). Currently, funded at $10 million as a pilot program, AL funding will rise to a total of $130 million within the next three months to expand on the following:

• USAID's Rebuilding Agricultural Markets Program (RAMP) which will direct several existing implementing contractors to accelerate and expand technical activities to provide economic incentives to farmers to reject poppy production in 12 districts of Helmand Province and 5 districts of Kandahar Province.
• The Central Asia Development Group (CADG) which will play a key role in the AL program by providing drip irrigation, greenhouse vegetables, agri-business models/financing business management and training, and agriculture extension.
• The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) which will train agri-input supply retailers in Helmand and Kandahar and organize these retailers into an effective network linking wholesalers and importers of agricultural inputs.
• The International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) which will expand their current work with horticulture and potato seed production and demonstration plots.
• The Grain Industry Alliance (GIA) which will collaborate with (CADG) and local entrepreneurs in Helmand and Kandahar on the implementation of model cold storage units in selected locations.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through an existing Participating Agency Service Agreement (PASA) with USAID, which will complement the private-sector focused activities of the alternative livelihoods program by assisting with building the capacity of public sector agricultural extension services and the Government of Afghanistan's capacity to manage and protect rangelands and watersheds.
• USAID/USDA personnel embedded in the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (made up of military/civilian reconstruction personnel) which will be available as technical advisors and trainers for the alternative livelihoods program.

In addition, USAID will design and launch a three year integrated rural development program in priority provinces and districts targeted under the Government of Afghanistan's counter-narcotics program. This comprehensive program will include the programs specified above as well as building new farm-to-market roads, making irrigation improvements and capacity building for provincial and district governments. It will also include a social safety net program consisting of providing direct aid to the poorest elements in the population, as well as cash for public work programs.