During World War II, Agriculture Secretary Claude Wickard said, "food will win the war and write the peace.” This old adage is wisely being applied toward the war in Afghanistan.
The U.S. Army is sending teams to help train Afghan farmers in the latest agricultural techniques for increasing production of food. In a country where drought is a routine enemy, the farmers are also learning to grow crops that are more drought-resistant. The Nebraska National Guard has supplied grain storage bins in Kapisa Province, according to 1st Lt. Lory Stevens. This is critical so farmers can better preserve the food they are able to grow.
Members of the Task Force Warrior agribusiness development team meet with local farmers July 13 in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province in front of a newly installed grain bin. They visited the farmers to ensure proper assembly of grain bins and to assess agricultural projects. (U.S. Central Command photo)
By introducing alternative crops, farmers will move away from growing the drought-resistant poppy crop that supplies drug traffickers and finances terrorism. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates points out, “Before 30 years of war, Afghanistan…had a strong agricultural sector, and in fact exported…a variety of food.” Gates adds, “but we have to figure out a strategy where they get the money and the seeds and the ability to sustain their families before they get rid of their poppy crop.”
Food is clearly the foundation desperately needed by Afghanistan. The UN World Food Programme reports that nearly a third of the Afghan population is unable to get enough food to live healthy and active lives. Another 8.5 million Afghans live on the edge of this food insecurity. These statistics do not bode well for peace.
Reports of a good wheat harvest this year in Afghanistan are encouraging. A grain reserve may be in development which will guard against drought emergencies in these critical upcoming years of reconstruction. How devastating it would be for Afghanistan to suffer a drought next year, or high food prices, and not have any emergency supplies to help its people.
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