http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/06/army-to-afghan-farmers-
trade-opium-for-saffron/ The Army has commissioned a 22-page report on saffron as an alternative cash crop to the opium poppy for Afghan farmers; the piece also notes that it’s nice “to see the military studying aid and development models so closely.” Unfortunately, opium is an “almost ideal” crop, and would probably be about 50% more profitable for the farmers than saffron: “it is a high-value, low weight crop that requires minimal water; the paste collected during the harvest is easy to store and transport; and the buyers come to directly to you.” 17:53
Entry Posted June 9, 2009
What others say about this link
Diesel Specialists Inc. .Net News (diesel-technology-news.dieselspecialists.net):
… The Human Terrain System, the Army’s social-science program, has seen pay cuts, tragedy — and an exodus of talent. But plans arestill in the worksto boost the number of anthropologists and social scientists the Army has deployed overseas. Writing yesterday in the Washington Post magazine, Vanessa Gezari gets to the heart of the matter. “The number of highly trained social scientists with extensive knowledg …
Afghanistan Conflict Monitor (www.afghanconflictmonitor.org):
… mostly in the east, central and southern areas, will face wheat deficits of 25,000-50,000 tons, according to MAIL." To continue reading the article, click here. See also: ' Progress being made in Afghanistan, MacKay says ', CTV News, 11 June 2009 'Army battle Taliban with.. saffron?', Wired, 9 June 2009 ' Poppy link to Afghan bumper crop ', BBC News, 5 June 2009 ' Revival of irrigation systems key to reduce poverty ', ReliefWeb, 4 June 2009 Related posts: ' Afghanistan expects biggest wheat harvest in decades ', 2 June 2009 ' …
Jacob Grier (www.jacobgrier.com):
… for lack of ideas Statistics of supposed sizeism “I don’t think anyone knows what America is. It’s just big.” A failure of regulation and of capitalism $100,000 and a year in prison for bald eagle featherAfghan farmers not mad about saffronA politician’s lessons from trying to tax beer UN official calls for plastic bag ban Bittermens bitters finally go commercial SBUX and “local” baking Kevin Heoffer barbecues in cold sunny weather with his watch on his right wrist Gift …
War News Updates (warnewsupdates.blogspot.com):
… Next 18 months key to Afghan victory -- AP Gates to Meet with Allies on Afghanistan, Wants Progress Within a Year -- Voice of America U.S. general aims to shake up Afghan war with new team -- Reuters Mullen: Next 12 to 18 months crucial for U.S. in Afghanistan -- CNNArmy: Battle Taliban With… Saffron?-- The Danger Room Report Points to Irregularities in Farah Air Strike Incident -- U.S. Department of Defense Pentagon Reports Mistakes by Bomber Crew in Afghan Incident -- Voice of America U.S. Reports Errors In Afghan Airstrikes -- Wall Street Journal U.S. Troops Er …
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