"...from the desires of those villagers in Arghandab, the idea of Arghand was born: an effort to add value to Kandahar's legendary fruit crops, to transform them into something stable and light, suitable for export. Even the name, Arghand, comes from Arghandab, that leafy district. "Arghand," in Persian, means "triumphant" or "conquering," and "ob" means "water." The district is named for its river, and we adopted the first part of its name..."
A bold experiment in local initiative and sustainable development, the Arghand Cooperative was founded in May 2005 by Sarah Chayes, formerly an international correspondent for National Public Radio.
Its purpose is to contribute to the economic development of southern Afghanistan by producing high quality, all natural skin care products from the legendary fruits of the Kandahar region – thus also competing with the opium industry by expanding the market for licit crops. Arghand guarantees the livelihoods of its members who participate equally in all aspects of production and management regardless of gender, ethnicity or tribal affiliation.
Pomegranate Seller
Cracking almonds
Arghand presents a line of seven luxury soaps and is about to launch a new line of "Essentials" which include Essence of Rose Intensive Nournishing Face Cream, Desert Fields Hydrating Face Cream, Desert Fields Hydrating Body Lotion and Amandine and Anisette Balms for lips and rough patches.
All of our skin care products were inspired by the indigenous agriculture of southern Afghanistan, with which we craft heady cold pressed and essential oils in our Kandahar atelier. Arghand skin care products are all natural, and each formula contains a generous measure of pure Afghan pomegranate seed oil, which is unsurpassed for its healing properties.
In consultation with a master weaver from the western city of Herat, the cooperative also offers a unique line of silk scarves based on the time honored design of the traditional Afghan turban.
Copyright 2009 Arghand.org