Teaching Afghan Farmers To Grow Viable Crops As A Counter Insurgency Strategy

Photo: Texas National Guard Col. Jeff Adkinson of San Antonio listens to Hajji Sultan Hussein Abbasyar, the director of agriculture, irrigation and livestock in Afghanistan's Ghazni province. Edward A. Ornelas/eaornelas@express-news.net

Sowing Seeds Of New Afghanistan -- My San Antonio

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GHAZNI, Afghanistan — Staff Sgt. Brian Holly stands stoically in the icy morning air and swirl of diesel fumes to talk with a fellow GI standing in his Humvee gun turret, but it’s more than a simple chat.

There’s concern in his eyes for the gunner, a young corporal from Lubbock, and Holly has the look of a father about to watch his son ride a bicycle without the training wheels for the first time.

“I’ve got men on those trucks,” explained Holly, 39, a squad leader from Castroville. “You know, we’re all one team, we’re all family. I have a little anxiety. You always do when your guys go out the wire.”

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My Comment: I am sure the Afghan farmers have the ability to grow crops .... they have been cultivating opium field for years .... but the problem is that their opium crops bring in more money than their crops of corn and wheat.