By Spc. Erin Robicheaux
BAGHDAD, Iraq--The Tigers of the 256th Brigade Combat Team are continuing their efforts to assist the people of Iraq build their future. Soldiers and local council members are working hand in hand distributing high quality wheat seed as part of Operation Amber Waves, a program to revitalize agriculture in this predominately rural sector just west of Baghdad. This in turn, will ultimately raise the economy.
Maj. Carrie Acree of the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion attached to 2nd Battalion, 156th Regiment, 256th BCT has been building a relationship with the Agur Quf Najia council, whose area covers 99 percent of the sector in which 2nd Battalion operates.
"Iraq's wheat seed has been degraded tremendously because the farmers harvest their grain and then use the same wheat to replant," Acree said. "What they have right now is fit for livestock. We're trying to bring that wheat grade back up to where it's good for human consumption. Thus they can get a better price on the market and can start selling it internationally. This will help the economy tremendously."
So far, the operation has brought in 434 tons of very high grade wheat seed. Since a very large portion of Iraq is farmland. It's a huge deal.
According to Maj. Steven Kvaal, 433rd Civil Affairs Battalion, the farmers go through a very quick process of obtaining the seed. All cars entering the area go through a checkpoint search before they are allowed into the distribution area. The first step is for the farmer to meet with a council member and present their land deed for approval. The legitimacy is determined by the council.
The amount of seed that is given to a farmer is contingent upon the amount of land that he has. Once the outcome has been decided, the council member writes out a ticket and stamps it for validity. The farmer then drives his truck to the pick-up site, receives his seed, and drives home to plant it.
The Ministry of Agriculture has guaranteed to purchase all of the grain produced after the harvest at a set price. That price is slightly lower than what they could get at the world market. It's an incentive for the farmers to sell their harvest internationally because they can make a slightly higher profit than what the Ministry of Agriculture would pay them for it.
Regardless, if the farmer can't find a buyer on an international market, they are going to make money on this wheat. This will help the economy as well as in building their wheat seed grade back up to an A Grade. The farmers will then use that wheat seed to start producing for the next planting.
Acree praises the Iraqi farmers and Najia Members for their participation in the process.
"The reaction of the people has been very nice," she said. "They've been helpful and tremendously grateful for this. They thank us constantly and understand that we are here to help them to legitimize the Najia."
| Date Taken: | 12.29.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 12.29.2004 14:36 |
| Story ID: | 766 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 272 |
| Downloads: | 15 |
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