Posted on 03/27/2010 7:50:34 PM PDT by SandRat
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Paktika provincial government, along with the Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team, purchased and distributed tree saplings to land owners throughout the province, March 24.
These trees will be equally distributed and planted throughout the region in order to allow the root systems to hold the soil in place.
As an added benefit, the Paktika government plans to distribute fruit trees, giving the population a chance to produce their own food while simultaneously improving the soil.
Staff Sgt. Derek Dosedel, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment’s liaison to the PRT’s reconstruction and agricultural projects sees the arrival of the saplings as a great benefit for the local Afghans.
“The distribution of these erosion prevention trees is a testament to the Paktika government’s concern for the problems and needs of the people,” he said. “It is a great step forward toward reestablishing the entire province as a fertile and arable land.”
Recipients of the tree saplings attended an agricultural course. This course, organized and led by the Paktika government and taught by the district agricultural representative, instructed the farmers on the proper planting and nurturing of the trees in order to maximize yields.
They were also taught how to properly draw the seeds from the future fruits in order to plant and grow additional trees.
Afghan National Security Forces escorted the trees to their respective district for distribution as well as providing security for the class and distribution process to prevent thievery and corruption.
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