Development projects improve life in eastern Afghanistan

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 24) – International Security Assistance Force service members paid a visit to several dam construction sites in the Tani district, Oct. 13.  Members of the Indiana 1-19th Agribusiness Development Team performed inspections of the sites, and educated engineers on the best ways to construct the dams.  The dams will help control water flow during the wet months, and the ISAF troops, while offering a few tips, were pleased with the progress the engineers and their crews had made.

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 24) – Service members with the Texas Agribusiness Development Team and representatives from the United States Agency for International Development paid a visit to grape farmers in Ghazni province last week.  The group visited to check on newly-built trellises in the vineyards, and noted that the grapes grown on these trellises were healthier, larger, more bountiful and more likely to sell at a higher price than those not grown on trellises.  Due to difficulties among farmers trying to export the grapes, and ISAF service members and USAID members scheduled a meeting with produce exporters and juice companies for later this month.

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 24) –The Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team visited villagers in the Parwan province to discuss water issues on several fronts last week.  The ADT traveled to the Usbashi village to check on irrigation ditches and well and pump facilities in the area.  The team noticed the irrigation system was in good condition, while the well house and windmill pump needed some repair.  The team also traveled to the Charikur village to check on the progress being made on the Salang river project, which will assist in the diversion of the Salang River to protect the area’s large canal system that supplies more than 30,000 families with water.

PAKTIA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 23) – Members of the Tennessee Agribusiness Development Team visited poultry training classes throughout Paktika province, Oct. 23. The classes were started in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development to provide training on poultry raising for both food and money through sales of the poultry.  Training is currently being conducted in three districts of Paktia, including Zormat, Dand wa Patan, and Chamkani districts.  An additional site in the Mirzaka district will begin training students within the next few weeks.