Afghan agriculture, governance delegation visits U.S.
Members of the Afghan agriculture and governance delegation arrive in Washington, D.C. The delegation will visit D.C., then make stops in Austin and at several facilities of the Texas A&M University System during their two-week visit. (Photo courtesy Texas Agribusiness Development Team IV)
By Paul Schattenberg
COLLEGE STATION — An Afghan delegation will be visiting the U.S. from April 28 – May 11, making stops in Washington, D.C., Austin and at Texas A&M University in College Station.
The delegation will consist of Afghan representatives from provincial and district levels of government and the University of Ghazni, as well as an Afghan journalist who will accompany them during their visit.
The visit is part of an agriculture and governance exchange program of the Task Force White Eagle – Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team, established by the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard and supported by the Texas A&M System. Funding for the delegation visit is being provided by the U.S. Department of State through the auspices of the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section in Kabul.
According to its task force principals, the purpose of this exchange program is: “To assist in the transition to a self-sufficient Afghan government by connecting the emerging government with resources, knowledge and people in the U.S. who can assist them as they continue to grow in scope, capacity and responsibility.”
“We’re excited to have this distinguished delegation visit our nation’s and state’s capitols and our agricultural facilities at Texas A&M,” said John Riggs, a program coordinator with the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, located on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station. “We hope this visit will help them gain invaluable insights and experiences that will enhance their agriculture, irrigation and livestock efforts, plus help them establish sustainable relationships with agricultural partners in the United States.”
Afghan delegation members will include: Sultan Abdul Hossain, Ghazni director for the Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, or DAIL, and Zafar Sharif, governor of the Jaghori district of Ghazni. The delegation will be hosted by representatives of Agribusiness Development Team IV and the Borlaug Institute, which has been involved in agriculture development projects in Afghanistan for several years, including programs supporting that country’s agriculture, irrigation and livestock enhancement efforts.
“This visit was the brainchild of the task force members from the Texas Army National Guard,” said Riggs. “The Borlaug Institute is providing logistical support and coordinating aspects of the agenda, giving access to AgriLife facilities and experts who can share with them the kinds of information, research and technology that we feel will be of greatest benefit.”
Riggs said the agricultural landscape and infrastructure of the Ghazni province is generally representative of Afghanistan.
“Some of the main challenges they face are developing an effective agricultural Extension service, enhancing the efficiency of their water resource management and improving their livestock industry,” he said. “We’re hoping this visit introduces them to many techniques and practices they can apply when they return home.”
While in Washington D.C., delegation members will participate in a U.S. National Arboretum tree-planting event on April 29 at which time they will meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Darci Vetter. They also will learn about USDA organization and program functions, take a tour of national monuments and Capitol Hill, and participate in area cultural activities.
The delegation will travel to Austin on May 1. On May 2 they will meet with officials of the Texas Animal Health Commission, visit the Texas National Guard command at Camp Mabry and meet with officials from the Texas Department of Agriculture, including Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. The following day, they will visit the Texas State Capitol Building, visit a Tyson’s Foods Poultry Processing Center in Seguin and travel to College Station.
“It is truly a pleasure to host a visit by the Agriculture and Governance Development team to Camp Mabry,” said Maj. Gen. John Nichols, Texas Military Forces Adjutant General. “Our soldiers have enjoyed many years of hospitality in their country, and it is a great honor to reciprocate.We welcome the opportunity to visit with our Afghan partners and discuss opportunities for continued cooperation and friendship between our countries.”
On May 4, the delegation will meet administrators of various agencies of the Texas A&M University System and attend a presentation on issues and challenges in water resources management by leaders of the Texas Water Resources Institute. The institute is part of Texas AgriLife Research, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M.
Over the next several days, the delegation will visit the system’s Borlaug Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science Research Teaching and Extension Center, Rosenthal Center for Meat Science and Technology and George Bush School of Public Policy — all located in College Station — as well as the Texas A&M System Dairy Center in Stephenville and the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Dallas.
Other activities by the delegation while in Texas will include: visiting the USDA-Agricultural Research Service’s South Plains Agricultural Research Center, touring an agricultural operation in the Brazos Valley, visiting Producer’s Cooperative and feed-mill facility, attending a Texas A&M baseball game, seeing the Bush Presidential Library and visiting a commercial dairy.
“Visits like these are important to mutual understanding and to get a much more in-depth view of the issues and challenges facing agricultural sectors of other countries,” said Dr. Ed Price, director of the Borlaug Institute. “We’ve had visits from delegations from other countries where we’re helping them help themselves through our international agriculture programs other work being done by the Texas A&M System. Experience has shown that both sides benefit greatly from such exchanges.”
Contacts
John Riggs, 979-862-7722, jwriggs@ag.tamu.edu
Dr. Ed Price, 979-862-4551, ec-price@tamu.edu
LTC William Meehan, 512-782-1034
CMSgt Gonda Moncada, 512-782-5050
Texas ADT-IV Blog 