By: Sabrina Ahmed
SAhmed@klkntv.com
Nebraskan soldiers are putting their roots to use, teaching people how to farm, but now they're doing it all the way in Afghanistan!
Some times people in countries like Afghanistan turn to growing illegal drugs. It's what they grew up with and it's all they know. But these Nebraska and Texas natives are helping them use their land for more conventional uses.
Afghanistan is one of the largest poppy producers in the world, and those poppies make opium. Opium is not only a recreational drug, but it is also used in making other drugs, like heroin.
This has become a common use of farm land in countries like Afghanistan because of it's profitability. The land they use is not typical for growing more usual crops. But Nebraskan National Guard soldiers are trying to change that..."have a little meeting, do some presentations.."
They are getting together with local Afghani farmers in the Paktiya province to help them cultivate their land to grow other vegetables. The soldiers are performing tests on the soil..."alkaline's pop up pretty fast..they alome clay."
And helping the farmers decide what is best for their land..."favorable. I mean when you get 6 ½ to 8 is pretty favorable for all kinds of plant types."
These soldiers together formed the agribusiness development team for the province. This project is all part of the reconstruction effort by the National Guard. We can only hope that they make it home safe.
