Combined Joint Task Force - 82
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces recently deployed a team of military agricultural experts from the Missouri National Guard to the Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, to improve farming.
In the mostly rural country, agriculture is an economic staple and accounts for approximately 45 percent of Afghanistan's gross domestic product and employs more than 70 percent of the population.
With this in mind, an Agricultural Development Team from the U.S. National Guard deployed to help farmers improve their current crop and livestock production.
The team will be working with other organizations such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The Soldiers have varying specialties, such as pest management, agricultural management, hydrology, and can tap into their civilian agricultural expertise.
The ADT brings expertise, advice and training in soil sciences, irrigation, agronomy, horticulture and animal husbandry to Afghan universities, provincial-level ministries, local farmers and agribusinesses.
Also, in conjunction with other organizations, the team hopes to improve the infrastructure of the Afghan agricultural economy through varying projects and the development of Afghan resources.
"While deployed, we will be looking for Afghan solutions for Afghan challenges," said Army Maj. Doug Dunlap, ADT executive officer in a Missouri National Guard press release, who has a diverse background in agriculture, including an agriculture economics degree from University of Missouri, a family farm and agri-business background, and several years working in agriculture finance.
"Everything that works for Missouri farmers may not necessarily be a solution for Afghan farmers, but we can certainly help them with some technical and infrastructure assistance."
This is the first of several teams to be deployed to Afghanistan.
"The development of Afghanistan's agricultural assets will allow the Afghan people to be less dependent on neighboring countries for food and some material goods," said coalition spokesman Army Maj. Chris Belcher. "Coupled with recent improvements in the provinces infrastructure, improvements in agricultural practices should lead to increased commerce for the area."
| Date Taken: |
02.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: |
02.20.2008 12:16 |
| Story ID: |
16506 |
| Location: |
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: |
236 |
| Downloads: |
217 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Coalition forces look to improve agriculture in Nangarhar, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
