In Afghanistan, a new business model is taking off among dairy farmers - the cooperative.<br/> <br />In this village near the Pakistan border, farmers are joining together to share expertise and resources.<br/> <br />They say that's helped boost profits, create jobs and stabilize the region - once rife with militant groups.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Pashtu) UNNAMED FARMER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The benefit of a cooperative is they have turned people from an individual life to a collective life. It has created a national drive for unity."<br/> <br />World Food Day, which falls on Oct 16, will shine a light on hunger. And experts say cooperatives are one way communities can feed themselves.<br/> <br />There are 14 co-operatives in this province, and many are supported by the United Nations.<br/> <br />Some members are working to build a massive new dairy plant that is expected to dramatically boost production.<br/> <br />With NATO planning to pull out its troops by 2014, experts say projects like this are vital for bringing economic growth - and stability - to Afghanistan.
