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KABUL, Afghanistan — International Security Assistance Force troops are assisting farmers in the Dara District, of eastern Afghanistan, to store their produce in a temperature-controlled, underground storage facility.
The ISAF Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team built the storage facility underground for improved temperature control. It also has thermal chimney and solar powered ventilation systems.
Panjshir is still without a sustainable electricity supply, which limits food storage options for local Afghans.
The facility has made it possible for farmers to effectively store food for personal consumption, or to sell at markets.
Panjshir is well known for its agriculture-based society. Food items such as potatoes, watermelon, wheat, and other fruits and vegetables can now be stored in the $45,000 facility.
The storage facility is maintained by Zubair, a Dara district resident.
"We're all very excited about what this facility can do for us," he said. "This will extend the age of our products, especially over the very cold winter."
Army Sgt Daniel Kelly, the PRT's civil affairs liaison officer, said: "From what we've learned, fresh fruits and vegetables often go to waste because there isn't a proper way to store them."
"Hopefully, this facility will help the residents of Dara maintain a healthy food source for longer periods of time or even help them earn extra money."
In line with Panjshir Governor Haji Bahlol's commitment to agriculture, the ISAF PRT has increased its number of agriculture-related projects. The team contributed additional funding and now has 14 current agricultural projects worth $1.6 million scheduled for Panjshir, with another eight more planned.
Projects include chicken, dairy cow, honey, and woodlot production. Additional projects include fuel, fruit tree orchards, natural tree nurseries for reforestation, a demonstration and teaching farm, an experimental farm, irrigation canals, brown tail moth control and eradication, and food processing systems.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2009 12:01 |
| Story ID: | 36767 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 401 |
| Downloads: | 343 |
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