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Tractors handed out to Afghan farmers in Nad 'Ali

A Military Operations news article

26 May 10

Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1 LANCS) have handed out 20 new tractors to farming co-operatives in the Nad 'Ali region of Helmand province.

District Governor Habibullah Khan starts up the first tractor just outside Forward Operating Base Shawqat in the district centre of Nad 'Ali
[Picture: Corporal Barry Lloyd RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

The troops were working alongside the International Relief and Development Agency and the Afghan Government.

Local farmers were presented with keys to tractors, thresher machines and ploughing equipment by District Governor Habibullah Khan at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Each of the farming co-operatives consisted of at least 35 farmers who had been asked to work-up and present a business plan. To qualify for the equipment, the co-operatives had to show that they were willing to stop sowing poppy crops and focus their production on wheat farming.

Captain Nick Carter, Influence Officer with 1 LANCS, said:

"The International Relief and Development Agency has been helping bring together co-operatives of farmers. How much land these farmers actually own will entitle them to certain farming equipment. So what we have today is a giveaway of tractors, threshing machines and ploughs."...

More here.