Agriculture Team Trains Afghans on Grain Storage

American Forces Press Service ^ | 1st Lt. Lory Stevens, USA

[SandRat]

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 2, 2009 – A Nebraska National Guard agriculture development team is helping Afghan farmers capitalize on their investments.

Members of the Task Force Warrior agribusiness development team work alongside Afghan farmers who went to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 24, 2009, to learn how to assemble grain bins. A Nebraska group shipped the bins to Afghanistan, which are designed to store seed and harvested grain. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Lory Stevens  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The Task Force Warrior agribusiness development team trained farmers from nearby provinces here June 24, showing them how to store seed for the next planting season. Farmers from Parwan, Panjshir and Kapisa provinces learned how to assemble grain bins, which will keep harvested grain from spoiling.

“Our team set up the bottom ring, top ring, and some roof pieces,” said Army Master Sgt. John Herron, an agronomist and hydrologist with the team, who helped to set up the training site with more than a dozen Afghan workers. Herron and his team showed the Afghans how to assemble the grain bins, using silicone caulk at the seams to keep moisture out during the harsh Afghan winters.

“A local truck was contracted to transport [the] bins to several locations in Kapisa,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Eldon Kuntzelman, a team agronomist who coordinated with a group in Nebraska to have the bins shipped to Afghanistan.

The grain bins will be built at eight locations throughout Parwan, Kapisa and Panjshir. The farmers received tool sets to use to assemble their grain bins once they arrive, officials said.

(Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens serves in the Task Force Warrior public affairs office.)

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	Afghan farmers assemble the roof of a grain bin with guidance from soldiers with the Task Force Warrior agribusiness development team at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 24, 2009. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Lory Stevens   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	An Afghan farmer picks up a screwdriver from a tool set given to him by Task Force Warrior agribusiness development team at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 24, 2009. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Lory Stevens   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

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[mamelukesabre]

Good deal.

Now the afghanis can store their poppy seeds more effectively.