Photo By 1st Lt. Davin Fischer | Sgt. Carl Peterson, a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard serving with the...... read more read more
ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – For the first time in recent memory, Zabul Province Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) employees took the lead role in organizing and executing a veterinary seminar and animal inoculation program in the Tarnak-Wa-Jaldak district of Zabul province.
A DAIL veterinarian and the Tarnak-Wa-Jaldak area extension agent conducted a two-day event in a village north of Shar-E-Safa. The events included a seminar and question-answer period on the first day, followed by inoculations for the village’s livestock on the second.
“First of all, this event put the DAIL out front and shows them that they can plan, and that they can train the farmers of Afghanistan. That’s our goal, to teach the DAIL staff how to execute these types of events. This particular event showed [the Afghan government] can do their job and do it well.” said Lt. Col. Ken DeGier of Echo, Minn., ZADT agricultural section leader.
The event was largely planned by the local DAIL extension agent, who used his knowledge of the area and background to designate the location and reach out to locals about receiving the training and inoculations. On day one of the event, the extension agent and veterinarian were met by village elders and spent several hours conducting a class on livestock care, discussing common diseases and fielding questions from the villagers.
“We were welcomed into the village the first day, and coalition forces had very little interaction with the villagers, leaving the lead role to the DAIL employees. This legitimized the efforts of the government and its local employees and was a key factor to success” said Capt. Jenna Carlson, of Oakdale, Minn., who directs ADT activities in the Tarnak-Wa-Jaldak area.
Day two of the veterinary seminar was comprised primarily of inoculating animals. Assisted by locals, the DAIL veterinarian inoculated more than 50 animals from diseases, including foot and mouth as well as anthrax.
The Zabul ADT partners with the DAIL staff and other partners in conducting agricultural outreach and activities throughout Zabul province. The ADT concept is a National Guard initiative to utilize the civilian agricultural skills of Guard members throughout the U.S. ZADT 3 is one of 11 such teams operating in Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2012 04:36 |
| Story ID: | 84621 |
| Location: | TARNAK-WA-JALDAK, AF |
| Web Views: | 508 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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