Visiting Afghans say agriculture is a key to U.S. efforts to stabilize their war-wracked nation

Six veterinarians from Afghanistan, on a visit to Colorado, say that if the U.S. wants to stabilize their country, giving the most agrarian Afghans agricultural options beyond the illicit drug trade is essential. The veterinarians were brought to the U.S. as part of the nonmilitary effort in Afghanistan, Bruce Finley of The Denver Post reports. (Post photo by R.J. Sangosti)

One told Finley, "If we keep people busy in agriculture, that will be good for security. We have a lot of land that is not used for drugs. We have no water to irrigate that land. If our agriculture is supported by the United States — if we can have a good irrigation system — this could be good land and a lot of people could get jobs." Retired Colorado State University professors escorted the six to farms, feedlots, research stations and clinics. U.S. officials aim to "improve the livestock and crop production," Finley reports, to increase income for farmers who otherwise grow opium poppies.

The veterinarians are already leading projects in their country with U.S. support, including an emerging cashmere goat industry. After the veterinarians trained 150,000 farmers to cut and comb the fibers from goats, production increased to 6 metric tons last year and is expected to top 50 tons this year. Despite the turmoil in his nation, one visitor told Finley he has no plans to leave: "I couldn't leave and go to another country. I love it because I was born there." (Read more)