BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Since August, the Kentucky National Guard Agri-business Development Team has educated the local farmers and government on how to increase productivity, increase their market share and manage natural resources in the Parwan, Panjshir, Kapisa and Bamyan provinces.
As a result of their work, the production of potatoes and onion has greatly increased in the Bamyan province.
Army Lt. Col. William T. Ewing, who has a degree in entomology said the Afghan people can grow a lot of crops. "They are actually producing more than they consume or export," he said. "And we are teaching them how to export and store their crops longer."
With the ADT's help, pomegranate farmers in the Tagab district of the Kapisa province have exported their crops to India and Dubai, where they received three times their normal price for the crops.
Educating the people on natural resource management has been a key point of the ADT. Irrigation and reforestation advances should greatly improve agricultural production in Afghanistan, unit members said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Ray Norris, assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., grew up on a family farm and volunteered to deploy with the ADT.
Norris spent some time in the Yakalong district of the Bamyan province, where there is an eroded canal that provides water to about 800 family farms.
"There are not many organizations in this area helping the people," he said. "We are working to get the materials, so the people can make repairs themselves."
The ADT has been working with the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), and the Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) at the provincial levels in the Parwan, Panjshir, Bamyan and Kapisa provinces.
Army Col. Mike D. Farley, who is the commander of the ADT, said he is glad to be a part of this important and unique mission.
"We are here to help the people increase the nutritional value in the country and sustain a better and healthier lifestyle," said Farley. "We are working directly with the MAIL and the DAIL's, to give them the knowledge to help their people."
The ADT has also been working to teach the women of Afghanistan techniques to improve their home life.
Army Sgt. Jo Lisa Ashley is the women's empowerment coordinator for the team.
"Most women here work at home, they take care of their families and the household duties," said Ashley. "I am working with them on projects that they can do at home to bring in extra income."
"The Afghan government is working side-by-side with Ministry of Women's Affairs and they are doing a great job about going out and showing that they support these programs for the women," said Ashley.
The ADT will spend about five more months here in Afghanistan before they return home.