Save the Children's Advancing Women-led Agri-businesses to Reach Economic Empowerment (AWARE) project organized trade shows in Balkh and Jawzjan provinces on March 5^th and 6^th, 2024, consecutively, with the primary objective of promoting women’s participation in the agricultural industry. The events specifically support women-led agri-businesses, enhance economic opportunities for women and households by showcasing their products, facilitating marketing, and fostering linkages between producers and customers.

"This trade show was a great success for us. We were able to sell almost all our products, as did other women from our village. It was a beneficial opportunity to connect with traders and wholesalers. For example, a saffron wholesaler bought most of our saffron products and even shared his contact information, promising future purchases. It was a rewarding experience for women-led agribusiness", said Mobina*, a representative of women-led agribusiness from the saffron value chain.

The events took place in separate halls for male and female participants. A total of 92 women-led businesses were selected to present their products from three value chains: vegetables, saffron, and almonds. In the vegetable value chain, these women offered processed products such as tomato sauces, dried tomato powder, jam, chutney, and pickles. In the almond value chain, they offered processed almonds soaked with salt along with other dried fruits like walnuts. The saffron value chain was able to sell a significant amount of its processed saffron to big traders in Jawzjan. Additionally, processed products like saffron tea, saffron cookies, and cakes were offered for sale to more than 100 traders from both provinces.

Save the Children Germany delegates visited both events and were impressed by the quality of products and the marketing skills demonstrated by women entrepreneurs.

Sarah Rieper, Head of Asia Region in Save the Children Germany, says, “I am very happy seeing the women who work and support their families. I visited a widow who has six children and presented her products at this trade show. I want to thank the European Union for supporting Afghan women.”

Shaheer*(46), a visitor, shared, “It was a great event that we saw women present their own products and have good incomes. I bought a bottle of saffron because it's pure saffron. My wife visited last year’s trade show; she bought almonds and saffron, which had good qualities.”