Sayed Karam market walk, step in right direction

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

01.25.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers and airmen of the 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team and Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team conducted a joint assessment of a rural agricultural market in the Sayed Karam District to better understand of how most Afghans purchase food.

Ahga Ghol, the subgovernor of the Sayed Karam District in Paktya Province, invited the ADT to a market outside of the city of Gardez to see how Afghans conduct business. Most markets in rural Afghanistan are based upon a barter system; what the United States used at the turn of the 19th century. Afghans in the smaller villages are moving from the barter system to one based upon monetary exchange for commodities, according to Ghol.

“The market in Sayed Karam is blossoming with security improvements made throughout the district,” said Ghol. “Afghan forces have made vast strides in removing insurgents and Taliban from the district and province.”

He said security improvements have helped business in the district.

“The removal of insurgents and Taliban has allowed the Afghans to feel safer,” said Ghol. “With an increased sense of security, Afghans in Sayed Karam have seen markets grow in size and selection over the past year.”

The market walk provided a means for the ADT to directly gauge trends in the distribution of agricultural products in the district and across the province. The ADT gathered information, such as the price and availability of crops for sale.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne, from Aubrey, Texas, a project manager for the ADT, checked the price on flour, meats, honey, fruits and vegetables while interacting with Afghan shop owners.

“The price, quality and quantity of goods available in the market are similar to what is available in Gardez,” said Payne. “Most of the goods came from Gardez, but some came from local farmers, which is a good sign that there is a surplus of agricultural crops available for sale in the district.”

The market walk also allowed the ADT to gauge from local Afghans how they felt about the security situation in Sayed Karem. When people feel safe enough to shop, that is a good indicator of security as a whole.

U.S. Army Capt. Kale Rogers, from Cordell, Okla., the security force commander of the 2-45th ADT, talked to one Afghan who said security has improved in Sayed Karam. The villager cited the “Guardians of Peace” program, which mirrors the “Sons of Iraq” program the U.S. used to unite communities in Iraq and improve security.

U.S. Army Col. Robert Roshell, from Lawton, Okla., commander of the ADT, talked to some of the shopkeepers, asking how they store food and if cool storage facilities would benefit the local Afghans. Cool storage facilities extend the shelf life of food products by months, without the need for electricity for refrigeration.

“The U.S. can only help if the government in Kabul can’t assist,” said Roshell. “The U.S. must allow the Afghans to address and solve issues that affect Afghans in the villages.”

Market walks allow for direct interaction between Afghans and the U.S. military. They also allow for U.S. personnel to purchase food and other goods, which help break down some barriers Afghans have against coalition forces. One complaint is that coalition forces never stop in the smaller villages, but pass them to go to the bigger towns.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Hekia, from Duncan, Okla., a squad leader for the 2-45th ADT, purchased bread in one of the local shops.

“The bread is some of the best part of eating in Afghanistan,” said Hekia. “The Afghans take pride in what they do, and us buying food or other items from the Afghans is just another way to show that we are more than just soldiers, we are partners in securing a better future for all of Afghanistan.”

• Date Taken: 01.25.2011
• Date Posted: 01.25.2011 13:39
• Story ID: 64182
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF