Agriculture day in Afghan province brings hope
PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --
The future for residents here is full of hope thanks to programs and initiatives directed by Gov. Haji Bahlol and supported by the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team.
The governor established education and agriculture as his top two priorities respectively, and he is following word with action. Following the success of an Education Day March 6, an Agriculture Day event June 13 drew more than 75 people to discuss the future of agriculture province-wide.
"Education and agriculture are keys to helping people improve their livelihood," Governor Bahlol said. "Improving our agricultural practices demonstrates that we will not be bought by a few dollars, and we will continue our commitment to not growing opium-producing crops. At the same time we can improve people's livelihood."
The Panjshir PRT had four objectives to accomplish when they planned the Ag Day seminar: be responsive to the governor's priorities; continue the record of cooperation excellence with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA; gather non-government organizations looking for developmental projects; and introduce the team's agriculture expert from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"We are here to support the central government of Afghanistan in the embodiment of the local government," said Fletcher Burton, Panjshir PRT director. "We organize local events such as Ag Day and UNAMA organizes the Kabul part."
Dr. Mike Gangwer, the USDA representative for Panjshir, Parwan and Kapisa provinces, has high hopes for Panjshir after his first visit and hopes to apply lessons learned here to the other two regions.
"I bring no money to the provinces, only my ability as a scientist to provide technical oversight and to get some projects started with help from locals and (non-government organizations)," said Dr. Gangwer, an Alma, Mich., native.
With an array of credentials from soil physics to animal science with a specialization in dairy cattle, Dr. Gangwer's primary assignment here is assessment and recommendations in the area of soil fertility. In addition to several other initiatives, he intends to help the local government attain a soil fertility baseline test kit to monitor conditions even after he leaves.
"An emphasis on responsible irrigation practices and a shift toward fruit production -- a high value crop -- should enable higher incomes for farmers, and with a much improved road being built, new markets for produce should be opened up," Dr. Gangwer said.
Plans for training programs at the multi-purpose district centers that are being constructed are under way.
"The centers will be a place where people go for training and where they can gather to discuss lessons learned," said Noor Akbari, a subject matter specialist for community development.
Other topics discussed during Ag Day included drip and trickle irrigation, more extensive use of terrace farming, a shift in thinking from using flat land for home location and less desirable ground for farming, moving from artificial fertilizers to manure, and natural legumes for crops.
"We might also help with dairy husbandry classes, rotational cropping that includes legumes in rotation, or, as practical matter, alley cropping, which is the establishment of legumes in between an orchard establishment, thus providing nutrition for fruit trees," Dr. Gangwer said.
These areas tie in with increased feed value for livestock. For instance, using alfalfa hay rather than wheat straw for feed improves soil fertility and higher organic matter, which improves the soil from a physical, chemical and biological perspective, he said.
"Ag Day closed with great promise," Mr. Burton said. "At least one (non-government organization) made explicit commitments to operate in Panjshir, and the governor invited them in and promised a secure working environment."
The governor established education and agriculture as his top two priorities respectively, and he is following word with action. Following the success of an Education Day March 6, an Agriculture Day event June 13 drew more than 75 people to discuss the future of agriculture province-wide.
"Education and agriculture are keys to helping people improve their livelihood," Governor Bahlol said. "Improving our agricultural practices demonstrates that we will not be bought by a few dollars, and we will continue our commitment to not growing opium-producing crops. At the same time we can improve people's livelihood."
The Panjshir PRT had four objectives to accomplish when they planned the Ag Day seminar: be responsive to the governor's priorities; continue the record of cooperation excellence with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA; gather non-government organizations looking for developmental projects; and introduce the team's agriculture expert from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"We are here to support the central government of Afghanistan in the embodiment of the local government," said Fletcher Burton, Panjshir PRT director. "We organize local events such as Ag Day and UNAMA organizes the Kabul part."
Dr. Mike Gangwer, the USDA representative for Panjshir, Parwan and Kapisa provinces, has high hopes for Panjshir after his first visit and hopes to apply lessons learned here to the other two regions.
"I bring no money to the provinces, only my ability as a scientist to provide technical oversight and to get some projects started with help from locals and (non-government organizations)," said Dr. Gangwer, an Alma, Mich., native.
With an array of credentials from soil physics to animal science with a specialization in dairy cattle, Dr. Gangwer's primary assignment here is assessment and recommendations in the area of soil fertility. In addition to several other initiatives, he intends to help the local government attain a soil fertility baseline test kit to monitor conditions even after he leaves.
"An emphasis on responsible irrigation practices and a shift toward fruit production -- a high value crop -- should enable higher incomes for farmers, and with a much improved road being built, new markets for produce should be opened up," Dr. Gangwer said.
Plans for training programs at the multi-purpose district centers that are being constructed are under way.
"The centers will be a place where people go for training and where they can gather to discuss lessons learned," said Noor Akbari, a subject matter specialist for community development.
Other topics discussed during Ag Day included drip and trickle irrigation, more extensive use of terrace farming, a shift in thinking from using flat land for home location and less desirable ground for farming, moving from artificial fertilizers to manure, and natural legumes for crops.
"We might also help with dairy husbandry classes, rotational cropping that includes legumes in rotation, or, as practical matter, alley cropping, which is the establishment of legumes in between an orchard establishment, thus providing nutrition for fruit trees," Dr. Gangwer said.
These areas tie in with increased feed value for livestock. For instance, using alfalfa hay rather than wheat straw for feed improves soil fertility and higher organic matter, which improves the soil from a physical, chemical and biological perspective, he said.
"Ag Day closed with great promise," Mr. Burton said. "At least one (non-government organization) made explicit commitments to operate in Panjshir, and the governor invited them in and promised a secure working environment."
