Opening Doors & OpportunityWestern US Agriculture Tour

Apples, Grapes, Raisins, Alfalfa / / Cold StorageBy Sean Currans

Task Force Centurion

Times have changed since 1975.◦ Agricultural technologies continually advance◦ International quality

Begins with field production practices Carefully preserved during harvest Post-harvest sorting Cold storage

Afghan Fruit Comeback

1. Rapid introduction to current Best Management Practices.

2. Introduction to top experts.

3. Open doors for business.

Why tour US agriculture?

CROPS Apples Grapes Raisins Alfalfa

Technologies, Supplies, Marketing Crop Management, pruning, irrigation Cold storage Post harvesting handling Equipment & Supplies Fruit broker introduction

Proposed Tour –September

What you will see on tour…

Apples

• orchard management• irrigation • dwarfing rootstock & varieties

• harvest

Apples

• post harvest handling

•

Grapes

• Vine management is 80%

• Variety trials are needed

Grapes

• Irrigation and water management very important.• Afghan grapes probably over-watered• Risk disease and lower quality fruit

Raisins – sun-dried

And Raisins Dried-on-Vine (DOV)

Introduction to Nathel International◦ See US packing houses◦ Learn export requirements◦ See examples packaging & handling

See US fruit and vegetable value chains◦ Farmer◦ Packer◦ Distributor◦ Retail stores

Marketing

Cold Storage

Several installations• Typical uses• Questions answered• Design alternatives• Cold and Controlled Atmosphere

Afghan livestock need feed

Commercial alfalfa production is a solution and opportunity.

Baled hay stores and ships.

Make hay in summer

Feed livestock in winter

Livestock Feed Production• US premium alfalfa value = $275/MT

• Afghan alfalfa value = $400/MT ?

•One jerib will produce 2.3MT

•Gross revenue = $920/jerib ?

•Meet Phoenix Institute for Desert Agriculture and discuss/arrange two month California alfalfa production training.

Afghan businessmen who want to invest in agricultural.

Cost: Estimate $15,000 for 12 days (includes airfare)

Self-paid by participant. Group size: 10 minimum, 20 maximum. Probable timing: September 2013 Participants must commit by May 15. Participants must apply for US visa by May 29.

Who should go?

Western US Agriculture TourApples, Grapes, Raisins, Alfalfa / / Cold Storage

Opening Doors & Business Opportunity

Are there 10 to 20 who want this opportunity?

Questions?