Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2009 - A horticulture and forestation technical training program in nine districts of Kunar this month provided skills to hundreds of farmers and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).
The training, sponsored by the Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), provided four types of training in the districts of Asadabad, Narang, Sarkani, Chowkay, Nurgal, Khas Kunar, Pech, Marawara and Chapadara.
Subjects covered for the 875 farmers and ministry staff ranged from orchard establishment, nurseries, and woodlots to natural resource management.
Crops planted during the project included, peach, apricot, orange, plum, pomegranate, mulberry, almond, mandarins, guava, watermelon, eggplant, gourds, cucumber, persimmon, apple, walnut, tangelo, okra, mung beans, clover, tomatoes, and beans (muth) for animal feed.
Woodlots, as well as part of the nurseries, comprised of eucalyptus, poplar, rosewood, and mulberry. As a result of the project, 757 jeribs of orchards and 72 jeribs of woodlots were planted and 25 family-run nurseries were registered with the Nurseries Association.
"The farmers by learning this skill will be able to maintain their gardens and our MAIL staff will be able to technically monitor the project sites in the future," Muhsal Khan, director of MAIL in Kunar, said at the closing ceremony of the training program.
USAID Deputy Mission Director in Afghanistan Rebecca Black said trainings such as the one provided by LGCD are of great value. "Agriculture is a vital part of Afghanistan's economy and USAID is pleased to provide practical help that can improve the well-being of the Afghan people."
Contact:
Steven Susens
Phone: +93 (0) 799-794-674
Email: ssusens@usaid.gov