The Contribution of Common Interest Groups (CIGs) to Rural Livelihoods Development in Afghanistan: A Case Study of Bamiyan and Herat Provinces

Abstract

Common Interest Group (CIG) as a farmer organization is a small voluntary association of poor people and small-scale farmers, usually from the same socio-economic background, who come together on the bases of some mutual interest or common objective. The main objective of this case study, conducted in 2020, was to examine the situation of CIGs in terms of their performance and to assess their role in improving rural livelihoods in Afghanistan. The analysis of data, collected through stratified random sampling technique from 160 CIG members of Bamiyan and Herat provinces, shows that CIG model is one of the successful models for improving the socio-economic status of small-scale famers and rural poverty-stricken population in Afghanistan. CIGs provide agricultural inputs and trainings on improved agricultural technologies to its members on favorable terms and time.