For Better or for Worse? Evidence on Afghan Livelihoods from Badakhshan and Kandahar

This presentation at AREU by Dr. Adam Pain outlined the results of two village and household case studies in the contrasting provinces of Kandahar and Badakhshan. It outlined the livelihood pathways of study households since 2002. In Kandahar these were generally prosperous, as villagers exploited opportunities in nearby Kandahar City's vibrant urban economy. However, a prolonged drought coupled with a ban on opium poppy cultivation triggered a general decline in the livelihood security of most Badakhshani households. The presentation also examined the varying capacities of different villages to provide public goods and the range of implications this carries.