Announcement

Farmer’s Day Celebration Connects Farmers with Local Government

500 Uruzgan farmers discuss their achievements, challenges, and goals with the Governor and Agriculture Directorate representatives.

Tirin Kot, Afghanistan  | Thursday, April 30, 2009

Photo: USAID/PRT Tirin Kot

Uruzgan farmers discuss their challenges and goals with local government officials.

Government officials in the southern province of Uruzgan met with local farmers to identify their needs and challenges at a Farmer’s Day event in late March.  At the event, over 500 farmers from across the province met with government officials – including the governor and representatives from the Agriculture Directorate – to discuss their achievements, challenges, and goals. 

The Government of Uruzgan is committed to helping farmers increase their harvests and income, as agriculture is the primary industry in the region.  At the event, government representative Eid Mohammad Khan said, “The goal of this Farmer’s Day celebration is for the government to learn about the problems and challenges facing farmers so they can then provide support.”  The farmers took the opportunity to tell their local officials about water shortages, lack of funds to buy tools and equipment, and poor access to medicine and fertilizer. 

Following the discussion, government representatives distributed shovels and saws to the attendees.  Additionally, the Governor of Uruzgan announced plans to establish a fruit market, which would raise farmers’ income through increased opportunities to sell their crops.