Agri, livestock projects in Helmand on the cards

LASHKARGAH (PAN and livestock projects would be launched at a cost of 115 million afghanis over the next three months in southern Helmand province, an official announced on Monday.

The schemes would be implemented in the provincial capital, Lashkargah, and 10 districts, Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Director Abdullah Ahmadzai told a press conference.

A pilot saffron project covering 95 acres of land would be started and handed over to farmers, who would continuously receive seeds, chemical fertiliser and training, he promised.

The director said 7600 farmers would be distributed wheat seeds and 400 destitute and widows assisted with keeping livestock. He explained poor women in districts would be distributed goats to help them make a living.

The projects also include the establishment of three veterinary clinics and training programmes for growers on how to prevent plant diseases.

Ahmadzai said 380 Kuchi tribesmen, including women, would be trained in various areas as part of the projects.

In addition, the department has launched work on a five-year programme envisaging several small agriculture and livestock projects. The proposed projects included research programmes and assistance to reconciled insurgents, he added.

A farmer from Nad Ali district, Safiullah, believed agriculture development could be achieved only when growers and livestock owners were assisted and encouraged.

He said Helmand was an agricultural province, with vast water resources. “If problems in the agriculture sector are resolved, the development of Helmand will also have a positive impact on the situation in neighbouring provinces.”

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