KUNDUZ PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of coalition special operations forces provided assistance to local farmers during a visit to Kunduz District, Aug. 6-11.
During the visit coalition SOF met with farmers and Afghan Local Police working in the district and provided a farmer tool repair clinic at Talawka Village.
“This clinic provided a great opportunity to discuss agricultural issues and trends which pertain to the local area. It is estimated that an Afghan farmer loses up to 10 percent of his profit by hiring out the thrashing of his crops,” said a member of the coalition Special Operations Forces task force.
The agricultural advisor for the coalition SOF task force offered advice to the group of farmers on issues to include the cloudiness of the water and problems with irrigation. He also explained the basic mechanics of well operations and repair, and harvesting techniques, such as crop rotation.
“Afghan farmers often plant the same crop repeatedly in the same fields,” the advisor said.
During the Farmer Tool Repair Clinic, farmers brought many of their broken implements for repair. A majority of the attendees brought their damaged wheelbarrows for repair.
While the farmers waited for their tools to be repaired, the coalition SOF team and agricultural advisor engaged them in discussion of their issues.
“This is a great opportunity to learn methods to improving our crop production,” said a local farmer. “I am also thankful for the assistance with repairing our equipment.”
The coalition special operations task force plans to use the feedback from the local farmers to help the local and district leadership build a comprehensive agricultural development plan.