Modern farming equipment given to Afghan farmers

In an effort to encourage Afghan farmers to stop growing opium, and instead focus on alternative crops such as wheat, officials from the Afghan government, a British Battalion and a Relief agency held a ceremony, and provided modern farming equipment to Afghan farmers in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province. The farmers were given tractors, thresher machines and ploughing equipment. A total of 20 new tractors were handed out. The farmers in this area had also been given wheat seed, non-ammonium based fertilizer and growing kits containing onions, tomatoes and fruit seeds.

A British Captain involved in today’s ceremony, Captain Nick Carter, commented: “This program is helping to develop the farming community. This particular area of Nad-e-Ali used to be very wealthy and it still can be. By having modern equipment, the farmers are able to go back into the commercial market and sell their produce for a good price, while also helping them move away from the poppy.”

May 26, 2010 · admin · No Comments
Posted in: Afghanistan's Economy, Reconstruction and Development