Kabul – The Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Peace Japan Medical Services (PMS) are working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL) of Afghanistan for a Japan government funded called the Project for enhancing agriculture production through irrigation system improvement and institutional capacity strengthening.

As part of the activities under the project, PMS with the support of FAO conducted the first training on PMS methodology. The training was mainly targeted towards the field staffs of PMS. It was conducted at Miran Training Center in Behsoud district of Nangarhar province. In this five days training, a total of 20 PMS Field employees participated. It is expected that some of these participates will work as resource persons in the future trainings.

Dr. Nakamura, in his opening remarks of the training, explained the background of PMS that why the PMS reverted from medical services to irrigation. He explained that 20 years ago, due to prolonged drought in Afghanistan, PMS realized the importance of water for the livelihood of the residents in the area and hence started working towards assuring water for the local communities. Dr. Nakamuar also explained how they have now been able to bring additional 16,500 hectors of land under proper irrigation system in 3 districts of Nangarhar, (Kama, Behsoud and Khuz Kunar) through these endeavors.

The PMS methodology is very effective and rewarding. Therefore, FAO is working closely with the PMS to expend its activities in other parts of the country as well.