172nd Infantry Brigade Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Kalsu engaged in a patrol to the central Euphrates farmers market and to a fish farm in Khdir, recently.

The patrol, led by 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment Soldiers, began at FOB Kalsu and travelled to the central Euphrates farmer’s market in Selah. Here, Provincial Reconstruction Team members and Soldiers were involved in the first board meeting held at the farmer’s market. The previous meetings were held at FOB Kalsu.

The central Euphrates farmer’s market is a market that represents approximately 4,900 farmers from the northern part of the Babil province. The next closest farmer’s market is 70 kilometers away in Karbala.

“This farmer’s market is closer to the farmer’s fields,” said Sheik Umran Hashim, the head of Alwaha Agricultural Association. “By spending less money traveling, the farmers keep more money in their pocket.”

The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the 1st Bn., 2nd Inf. Regt. leadership with the PRT, Civilian Affairs and local Iraqi leadership. The board meeting was also to showcase the progress of the market. The topics discussed here included funding, the cold storage facility, auction price for the market stalls and security plans for the market.

Khdir is a predominately shiite town that was overtaken by al-Qaida and the area was used as a staging area to train and attack surrounding areas. Al-Qaida prevented the farmers in the area from harvesting fish, thus harming the area.

Sheikh Jaffer Hussin Dandal, the owner of the fish farms in this part of the province, is one of the first sheiks to work with coalition forces here. By working with the CF, Dandal is able to harvest fish without al-Qaida interference. The fish farms also help bring the people back into the area, after they were forced out.

The fish farm assistance is one of the projects that the PRT has helped to boost the local economy in Iraq.

DVIDS
By Pfc. Bethany L. Little and Spc. Dawn Van Horn
Multi-National Division – Center