Shisham Research Farm

History:

Sheesham Bagh Research Farm was established in 1963 at the centre o of Nangarhar province in an agricultural area. It started functioning in 1964. At that time, there was no other research farm in the eastern region. This farm was established in 70 Jerib land while after the beginning of Rice project, the area of the farm was decreased to 50 Jeribs due to the construction of other infrastructures in the farm. A residential building was also constructed for 4 families of the farm’s employees which was fenced with the spiked iron wires. People couldn’t enter into the farm area due to the rule of law. This farm had 40-45 employees, excluding the technical employees, it had 4 admin staff as well as the farm security guards for day and night shifts. It also had a soil testing laboratory which had an officer and 2 employees. It also had a vehicle for sample collection and other vehicles for the office use and the transportation of the materials. The required budget was always provided to the research department on time every year; the research activities conducted on time and through experiments on different verities the staff could gain positive results and they could  released new and resistant  verities of  cereals and vegetables. Consequently, its results (new technologies) were shared with the farmers along with the required technologies. This way, the farm  had its outputs.  The farm had e direct linkages with the foreign and international research farms. The farm’s staff could go on tours for professional training abroad every year;.,Research materials were received from abroad. In addition, the farm employees had better compensation and income and were paid on time. There were paying all of their attention to their professional tasks and were having better achievements.

Current situation:

Presently, the Sheesham Bagh Research Farm is located at the centre of Jalalabad city and it is intruded by the neighbouring residents from the four sides. The residents don’t respect the law and enter into the farm area illegally. In addition, the present government do not has the capacity to take care of its property. The farm does not have a proper boundary wall, therefore, a part of the farm has been occupied and the law is still being violated by the local residents. The irrigation water of the farm, crosses the city, therefore it has become contaminated and is not suitable for the research. A part of the boundary wall is demolished, and the residents can intrude into the farm and create obstacles for the research.

The linkage between the farm and the international farms have been broken presently, some organizations have been bridging between this farm and other international research farms. This indirect way has been very expensive and the result of the work is also not satisfactory. Due low salaries and high inflation rate   the farm employees do not have full focus on their work. This farm also has a 50 years old germo-plasm garden in 7 Jeribs land. The water of the garden is contaminated and cannot meet the objectives. The office building of the research farm has inadequate and small rooms that do not meet the needs of the farm staff. Some lab equipments for the pest and diseases control, have been granted to this farm, however, there is no room available to palce and use them as a lab. The farm also needs a parking space for the vehicles. The farm’s staff also need to have a comprehensive training on the available machinery to take the best advantage of them. In order to standardize the farm from the technical point of view, all the staff need to acquire higher education abroad.

Problems:

  • Lack of security, we need the assistance from Afghanistan security departments to secure the farm from the land grabbers and protect from further destruction of local residents.
  • Boundary wall is made of local materials; has to be built with fundamental materials
  • Lack of electricity, Provision of electricity for storing lab chemical materials and seeds.
  • Lack skilled worker
  • Lack of proper fence, spike iron wiring of the farm’s boundaries is needed.

 

Suggestions:                                                                                       

  • Critical security measures to be taken in coordination with security departments to safeguard the farm from the land grabbers and local residents.
  • Facilitating and provision of farm with necessary electricity.
  • Recruitment of 4 guards, 2 supporting staff, 3 tractor drivers, 1 mechanic for soil lab, 2 staff for laboratory, 25 other skilled workers, all together  36 contracted staff hirelings.
  • 250 meters boundary walls for the farm.
  • Spike iron wiring of the farm’s boundaries.
  • To take back the grabbed lands, where private houses are built .
  • A vehicle for the farm.
  • 6 motor cycles for the employees.
  • Budget for the repair and oil of the motorcycles.

 

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