PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – More than 150 people gathered at the Astana Guest House here for the 2011 Panjshir Agriculture Conference, Feb. 2-3.
Mohammad Asif Rahimi, the Panjshir Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, was the chief guest and provided the opening remarks to the traders, farmers, producers, government officials and national and provincial media outlets in attendance.
The two-day conference focused on providing Panjshir’s farmers an opportunity to articulate their needs in relation to agricultural production, processing and marketing of produce, livestock and product.
"Being the first [conference] for the province, we wanted it to focus on the future," U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Casada, Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team II lead from London, Ky. “Ideas were introduced to the farmers on how to increase their income by adding value to their products before leaving the farm.”
Also announced, starting in the spring, was the weekly farmers’ market in the Bazarak District and Panjshir's first livestock bazaars in Paryan and Shutol districts.
"The bazaars should help traders and farmers by bringing animals to a central point and attracting several buyers," Casada said.
The new bazaars will also get a fresh marketing symbol.
"School children from Panjshir will compete to come up with the best logo for Panjshir agricultural products,” said Panjshir Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Hashmatullah Anyat. “The competition will take place when school begins in March and will be judged by Afghan and local government officials."
Though spring was a large focus, attendees also discussed plans for an Agri-tourism event with a mulberry festival scheduled to be held in the summer.
“With short- and long-term goals voiced and recognized, we feel the agricultural and social lives of Panjshir will increase,” said Anyat.
Others in attendance included officials from both the U.S. and Panjshir provincial government; Horticulture Livestock Project members; Roots of Peace members; representatives from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries; and representatives the Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Program.
"The conference brought national and international attention to Panjshir and we think that will bode well for future projects," said Casada.
| Date Taken: |
02.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
02.20.2011 13:13 |
| Story ID: |
65777 |
| Location: |
PANJSHIR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: |
64 |
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0 |
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This work, Spring plans announced at Panjshir AG conference, by Maj. Ashleigh Peck, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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