Wheat seed to Khowst farmers will increase yields

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan—For Afghan farmers in eastern Afghanistan agriculture is the primary industry, and wheat is the staple food.

In Khowst province, it accounts for over half the caloric intake of the population and covers roughly 16,000 hectares of land.

Coalition members of the 4-19th Agribusiness Development Team recently funded the purchase of 142 metric tonnes of certified winter wheat seed for planting throughout the province this winter.
Made through the U.S. Army’s Commander’s Emergency Response Program, the seed purchase will help combat a projected shortfall in wheat production and increase domestic supply.

According to a May 2011 report published by the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, cereal production, primarily wheat, was estimated to be 1.25 metric tonnes below last year’s yield.

The Khowst Province Director of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock office will take the lead in distributing the certified wheat seed to local farmers in the 13 districts just in time for planting season. Once the seed is distributed, it is up to the farmers to sustain and harvest a good crop.

“This project is very important because it will help increase wheat production in Khowst Province,” said U.S. Army Capt. Marc Blue, of Wonder Lake, Ill., the CERP project manager. “This project gives the DAIL and his staff a mechanism to expand upon year after year as well as to increase the support and sustainability of [the Afghan Government].”

In order to receive the certified wheat seed, farmers join the Khowst Province Wheat Seed Association headed by the DAIL staff.  Moreover, they must be willing to accept the guidance and technical assistance from local DAIL Agricultural Extension Agents and be willing to share improved wheat seed from his harvest with his community.

Combined with the distribution of wheat seed, the DAIL’s office will form a Khowst Province Wheat Seed Association.  Initially, the DAIL staff will select district leaders who will identify the most successful and innovative wheat seed farmers in each of their districts who will become the base membership of the association.

“It is important to get this wheat seed distributed quickly to the village co-operatives and farmers so they can have a successful harvest in the spring,” said Faisal Rahim of the Khowst Province DAIL’s office.