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THE SCALLOP: Reflections on the Journey

Agricultural Aid vs Guns in Afghanistan

LINKS: America.gov: Engaging the World , Food Not Bombs Website

On January 7, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Obama administration was working with the Afghan government and its agricultural framework to stabilize the country by providing its people with means to grow food for local consumption as well as export and with profitable alternatives to growing poppies. Another goal of this project is to remove some of the Taliban's recruitment tools: People who are able to feed themselves, earn a living for their families, and who receive help attaining those goals from their government are less likely to be convinced to join the Taliban whose goals and ideology they do not share.

A Jan. 8 article on "America.gov" written by staff writer Stephen Kaufman, quotes Vilsack: "To develop a relationship of trust with the Afghan government and farmers, concrete results are needed, he said. For that reason, 'we’re spending a lot of time … trying to listen to precisely what the Afghans need of us.'

A good idea: listening to those we want to help.  Read More 
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