Recognizing the important role agriculture plays in the rebuilding and restructuring of Afghanistan, the United States Army is engaged in a discretionary program that focuses on helping Afghan farmers modernize their techniques and become self-sufficient.As David Zucchino writes in his article on the topic, published yesterday, July 26, 2009, by the Los Angeles Times, modernizing Afghan farming techniques is akin to advancing current practices best suited for the 19th century to practices at least as modern as the 1940s. Regardless of the challenges, the 350 agriculture specialists in the Army’s agribusiness development team are committed to improving agriculture techniques in a country where, according to the LA Times, 80% of working-age males are small farmers. To read the LA Times article click here.
The specialist in the agribusiness development teams travel from town to town in Afghanistan under heavy protection—51 soldiers protect 7 agriculture specialists, who are also armed. In the communities the specialists educate farmers on ways to increase yield, increase efficiency, and modernize methods used for growing and storing crops. Additionally, equipment is provided and advice is give on irrigation, planting, and fertilizer use.
The LA Times reports that thus far, since 2001, $7.9 billion has been spent on this effort. It remains to be seen whether this is enough to help create self-sustaining agriculture beyond poppy production in a country of 31 million.
Posted: 07/27/09
