KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – A two-day farmer’s training event and model-farm exhibition helped area farmers in the Maruf District of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, learn how to increase crop yields with new techniques during a government sanctioned event Feb. 22 and 23.
An Afghan model farmer, along with his brother, worked with coalition forces from Special Operations Task Force – South, in order to build a seed bed with which to train other area farmers.
The seed bed was laid on the first day by the model farmer, and on the following day, 25 area farmers showed up to receive the Afghan-led training. Those on the second day were able to leave with a “better method of preparing and conditioning a seed bed,” said the SOTF-South warrant officer in charge of the event.
“The model farmer performed all the hands-on demonstration techniques for his village,” the warrant officer said.
Training such as this is a first for Maruf residents.
“This event was the first of its type conducted in Maruf District, and all the area farmers demonstrated a keen interest in using the knowledge they received,” the warrant officer said.
District Gov. Abdul Samat Durrani spoke to all the farmers and promoted the training throughout Maruf and encouraged all in attendance to share this knowledge with other farmers. He also handed out radios following the event, so the population can stay in tune with future training opportunities, the warrant officer said.