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It’s rare that you see large quantities of fresh milk in Afghanistan.
There’s very little production due to lack of refrigeration equipment.
A project run by the Czechs in Logar is helping to address this.
Last year they set up two milk collection centers where dairy farmers can get more money
for their milk.
‘When they go to the collection center, they are able to sell milk from more milking
like two or three times per day. So for them it brings more, like 60 percent increase of
income’
‘Everyday local farmers bring their own milk here to the milk center and sell one
litre for around 50 American cent’
‘When we receive the milk early in the morning, we check it. After we have checked it, we
pour it in the tanks. After we boil it we make cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.’
The Czech in charge of the center, is more than satisfied with the project’s progress.
‘It’s going well. It’s working as expected. Maybe even better because this center in Malak
Abdullah Jan is one of the best running centers, and the business for the cooperatives is still
growing and improving.’
It’s hoped the success of this project won’t be set back by security problems. Taliban
activity has increased in the province but it’s not just the Taliban who don’t want
to see progress.
‘Pakistan is not happy that we have this dairy factory here because they export dairy
products in this area.’
The Czechs agricultural programme also extends to vocational schools which they’re setting
up to help teach the new generation of farmers.
‘This is one of the two school buildings. This one for the agriculture and second for
the mechanical school. Five hundreds and five hundreds students.’
By the beginning of the 2012, laboratories, workshops and a demonstration farm will be
available to the students. Alessandro Pavone in Logar, Afghanistan for
the NATO Channel