In Remote Afghan Valley, U.S. Slowly Builds Support with Farmers

Soldiers from the 40th ID ADT, a National Guard unit from California, are conducting a ‘hearts and minds’ events for rural Afghan farmers throughout Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan.

VETCAPs may end up being one of the influential tools used by the U.S. military in new counterinsurgency strategy to build security by gaining support with rural populations who distrust the corrupt central government

An Agribusiness Development Team (ADT) consists of soldiers with experience and education in agriculture. Many have been raised on farms, ranches, and orchards. Others work in food processing plants and as civil engineers.

All our men bring civilian skills.” “They bring talent and experience the Army does not have” says LTC Velte of the 40th ID ADT from California.

Wedged between a trash ridden junkyard and gravel pit, a temporary corral has been erected with plywood squeeze chutes near an exit. SFC Hanlin repairs a door on one of the chutes broken by an irritated yearling. In the corral, another soldier wrestles a rowdy calf to the ground while other soldiers laugh and cheer on. Armored vehicles and dismount patrols from nearby FOB Bostick work with the ADT's security team (SecFor) to provide security alongside Afghan Security Forces in charge of the outer perimeter. An ANA soldiers stops a car searching for explosives while a three ANP search farmers and children who enter the corral.

ADT is partnering with the Afghan provincial government and veterinarians from Afghan Veterinarians Association (AVA) to bring animal care and quality medicines and to this rural region of Afghanistan.

“It is important to show an Afghan face” says Colonel Grimm.

The AVA veterinarians performed the vaccinations while mentoring the local vet techs on animal care and disease. The vaccinations were for black leg, parasites and rabies. A nutritional supplement was also administered.

Before vaccination, the animals are graded on their overall condition as they enter the pen to build a database for comparison next year.

“There is very little meat on the animal so this animal is poor,” SGT Flynn remarks as he moves his hand down the back of the cow’s boney spine. Most are graded ‘poor’ due to extensive parasite and worm invasion.

In Kunar Province, the farmers grow cattle, goats and wheat. Most animals are kept for family consumption where families can reach up to 15 children. Improving the animal’s condition and therefore providing better nutritional value for the family is the ADT goal. Having an animal survive the winter would be considered an accomplishment by the farmers. In a good year an animal may be sold for $40-$80.
Yet, an old proud farmer had another explanation for the thin animals.

“These animals are small because they are mountain animals… go by themselves, run up mountains. We have bigger animals at home and they never climb.”

As the day progressed ADT soldiers remarked how the majority of the Afghans bringing the animals’ to the event were children. In Afghanistan children are the cornerstone of a family’s wealth. In farming they care for the animals that graze on high pastures and open range.

One cross-eyed boy, who was not sure of his age, tends his grandmother’s five goats in addition to attending school. Another small shy girl holds a thin rope attached to a goat much larger than herself. When asked about school she said she was not attending. She had six brothers and six sisters and was quiet when asked whether they attended school.

The UN estimates that up to 30 percent of primary school age children are working and often the sole source of income for their families.

After their animals were vaccinated, each of the Afghans was given a disease chart, supplements and standard radio for listening to news. The radio is a simple and inexpensive tool in the counterinsurgency strategy; it allows the government to reach out to the isolated farmers and give accurate news and information.

Subgovernor Haji Gulzaman thought more should have attended this event. His office was responsible for publicized the event on radio and with the local newspaper. Many of the farmers came only after hearing of the event a few hours earlier from children returning home.

“We need more VETCAPs higher up in the mountains where many villagers have larger herds of 100 to 1,000.” He added “I want more agriculture teams from the government to train one person from each valley. We need basic animal care and help with birthing.”

The VETCAP event was about more than providing information—it is also about gathering information. US Military representatives from FOB Bostick met with each of the adults as they entered the corral. They gathered Biometrics data through eye scans and fingerprints, asking questions regarding any nearby Taliban and anti-government forces activity. These simple questions can bring in solid intelligence. On the day of this VETCAP, one farmer reported Taliban activity near his farm and a unit from FOB Bostick was sent to investigate and remove the threat.

LTC Brown from FOB Bostick was energized about bringing this event to their community. The region is located next door to a mountain pass going into the volatile Chitral Valley region of Pakistan where the Taliban and al Qaeda plan attacks. The border is not recognized by the local Pashtun tribes in an area where people are traditionally suspicious of all outsiders. The counterinsurgency is both complex and changing. Both Afghan and U.S. military are looking for new ways for gaining public support.

A white bearded Afghan brought one of the rare healthy cows to that day. When asked how many children he had, his hand waved over to a small mob of children on the road and stated “Too many to count.” He owned 200 animals and had a good year selling six animals for 20,000 Afg. ($400). His land circled FOB Bostick and he had benefited from the security the base has brought.

“Americans should stay for as long as needed.”

The California ADT treated more than 400 animals during the event. Word has spread and requests are coming in to bring the VETCAPs to other regions in Kunar. The California ADT and their Afghan partners will be busy the month of February, traveling throughout the province vaccinating animals.

by Janet Killeen