GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Polish army Brig. Gen. Slawomir Wojciechowski, Task Force White Eagle commander, and Ghazni province Gov. Mussa Khan, held a grand opening ceremony for the Jaghori District Agricultural Extension Office and Demonstration Farm May 23.
The Texas Agribusiness Development Team established the $125,000 construction project.
“The main purpose of this project is to have an extension office there in order to train and teach new techniques to farmers throughout both Jaghori and Malistan and all of western Ghazni,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian Stevens, Texas ADT commander.
At the center, farmers can learn about irrigation techniques, green house cultivation, seed selection, planting techniques, orchard management, plant disease and insect management and wind and solar power.
During the ceremony, Kahn said the center is important for the development of the district. Zafar Sharif, sub-governor of Jaghori agreed.
“I hope that the farm will be widely used by our farmers,” said Sharif.
Wojciechowski said the infrastructure was built “to improve economic conditions and development of agriculture in the region.”
Construction on the center began in 2008. However, the external infrastructure is only one portion of the project; the Texas ADT also purchased specialized equipment to support the center. The administrative building is equipped with solar panels and wind turbines capable of supplying energy to a veterinary clinic, tractors, water pumps and many other devices essential in running the farm.
Additionally, contractors will conduct monthly training sessions for a year. While the training is primarily for residents from Jaghori District the training will not be limited to that region.
In about a month, the ADT will hand over a third project for Jaghori. The $135,000-project involves the construction of a water retention and pump system to irrigate crops.
“This project is primarily designed to increase capacity and productivity of farms in the vicinity of Jaghori,” said Army Maj. Les Davis, Texas ADT agricultural expert team leader.
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2011 17:23 |
| Story ID: | 71072 |
| Location: | GHAZNI PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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