Kansas Agri-business Development Team arrives to northeastern Afghanistan

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (May 8, 2009) – The Kansas Agri-business Development Team unfurled its colors in Laghman province, Afghanistan, May 3.

Prior to the unit’s arrival in northeastern Afghanistan, The Missouri Agri-business Development Team was the only ADT team operating in the Nuristan, Nangarhar, Konar and Laghman provinces also known as the N2KL region. With additional assets the two ADTs will be able to focus on specific areas of development.
 
“Each area of Afghanistan has a unique set of agricultural challenges and advantages that require tailored approaches to resolve. The more focused we are on the strengths and challenges for a specific locality the greater chance we have to succeed in improving the quantity, quality and safety of agricultural products for the consumers,” Kansas Agri-business commander Army Col. Eric Peck from Manhattan Kan., said.

The Kansas ADT is comprised of Army and Air Force volunteers from across the Kansas National Guard who are equally skilled in both military and civilian experience.

Key areas of knowledge include infantry tactics, engineering, security operations and a multitude of civilian expertise, which was sought out from all over Kansas, Texas, and Washington to form a truly cohesive melting pot of farmers and Agri-business professionals.

“Our team is focused on four major agribusiness infrastructure areas: production, storage, processing and education and we have projects and program proposals in those areas that we are discussing with our Afghan government, Provincial Reconstruction Team and interagency partners.” Peck said.

As the team settles into Afghanistan, they await the challenges ahead and work to pave the way for several rotations of teams to follow in bolstering the Afghan food market and assisting in economic development.