Wheat as a Weapon

Is wheat the new weapon in defeating the black turbaned Taliban? US Forces in Afghanistan believe so as they are deploying ADTs, Agriculture Development Teams, throughout some of the most volatile provinces. ADTs are comprised of National Guard soldiers who have civilian backgrounds in agriculture. They are partnering with the government of Afghanistan in rebuilding the agriculture sector that’s been destroyed after 30 years of war. These soldiers come from Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky and now California. Tonight I am here at FOB Wright in Kunar Province near Asadabad, with one of eight ADTs in Afghanistan – the new California team. I will be following the progress and problems the ADT members encounter as they work with Afghans over the next year in the counterinsurgency fight.

FOBs, like Wright, are forward operating bases located beyond major bases (like Bagram Airfield), out among the populace. They house anywhere from battalion-sized units to 30-man platoons, and are the places from which the war is really being fought.

When one thinks of the soldier fighting the Taliban, the word 'Horticulturist’ doesn’t come to mind. The one I followed today was digging up the roots of a young citrus tree—hardly a fierce combat tactic. His low key but sincere interest in that small tree, followed by a discussion with Afghans on their methods of grafting was the beginning of a relationship that may eventually bring peace and stability to this valley.

I first saw the unique blending of military with agriculture in 2004 while embedded with a unit of Army Reservists in the province of Kandahar. Traveling outside the city into the volatile countryside to do a village assessment, I watched as a Major, who was also a full time rancher from Oklahoma, met with village elders to discuss what the US Military could do for them. The Major worked with an unassuming, respectful manner asking practical yet critical questions, not about security but problems with yield and water. I watched as the Afghans responded with deep appreciative instead of suspicion. He was impressive. Trust was built that day.

The ADTs have built on this concept by building teams of Agronomists, Soil Scientists, Horticulturists, Ag Economists and Water Engineers. “Combat Farmers” is the term that floats around. Some of the soldiers are not sure they like the label but they are US Army soldiers but they are also professionals in agriculture; so the term does fit.

Kunar province is an ideal place to deploy ADTs. Less than 10 miles from the Northern Pakistani border, this valley is sympathetic to the Taliban. Helmand may be hot, but Kunar is frosty with its population unfriendly and cool. Attacks happen frequently at FOBs here and on patrols. Yet, Kunar also has fertile river valleys and abundance of rivers and streams; a perfect combination to apply the COIN strategy and maybe win the ‘hearts and minds’ of these farmers.

Counterinsurgency is about winning the population through the use of a carrot in addition to the gun. ADTs are the carrots that might end up being the strongest pillars not only in COIN strategy but the Counternarcotics fight, too. Opium funds the Taliban and Al Qaeda and Afghanistan provides 93% of the world’s demand for opiates. Big money. US Forces are not fighting the opium trade directly but by building a robust agriculture base they are giving options for poppy farmers. Something they haven’t had in over 30 years.