Czech PRT in Logar helps farmers.

Aug 4, 2008

August 4, Pole Alam - The Agriculture Department in Logar in cooperation with the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) helps farmers to dry their produce more effectively. On Sunday, they organized a day-long training workshop on how to use renewable energy in Afghanistan for drying both fruits and vegetables for the members of the Logar's agriculture cooperatives. Almost 900 farmers which are associated in cooperatives in two districts of Khushi and Charkh in Logar province will benefit from the project.

After theoretical lectures and practical training how to use the solar dryers, each of five agriculture cooperatives from Logar province receives four dryers powered by solar panel. The cooperatives will also receive one packaging machine which enables them to pack their produce. The dryers and packaging machine will be used by cooperatives´ members for drying this year production.

"I used to dry vegetables and fruit on the ground under the sun and a big part of the production was destroyed every year because it was contaminated by mold. If my resins will be clean and of good quality, I could sell them for three times more money," Saiad Shah (44), a farmer and the Deputy Chief of the cooperative from Naushar village said during training.

Drying is typical and, in these times, the only mean of conservation of fruit in Logar province. Traditional method of drying fruit and vegetables on the roofs of houses is not suitable in the terms of hygiene. The solar food processing and conservation improves the quality of food in terms of hygiene and storage.

"Thanks to modern technologies the Logar cooperatives will be able to compete on the Afghan market in the field of dried fruits and vegetables," said Iva Smejkalova, the civilian agriculture expert of PRT. The other outcome from the project is demonstrating environmental benefits, providing an alternative to using local natural resources (such as wood).

More information provides:

Karla Stepankova

Provincial Reconstruction Team Logar, Afghanistan

Mobile : + 93 796 532 724

E-mail: czechprt07@gmail.com