Civil Affairs field day DPR/TV/1350

Soldiers of the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit in South Vietnam recently held a field day for farmers of Phuoc Tuy Province. The aim was to show the Vietnamese - traditionally rice farmers - the advantages of growing serghum, a multi-purpose grain which could bring new prosperity to the area. The grain can be used as stock feed, to make cakes, bread...even wine. Its stalk can be dried to make curtains and brooms. The grain produces a good yield, and is resistant to too much, or too little, rain. The field day was held near the village of Binh Gai (pron Bin Jar) about ten miles north of the Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat. Villagers turned out in force to see the crop, which was grown under the supervision of agricultural specialists attached to the Civil Affairs Unit. One soldier who was delighted with the success of the crop was 1123 Lieutenant Colonel Keith Percival (Paddy) Outridge of Canberra, ACT, who discussed it with Vietnamese officials. The sorghum crop, along with pig and poultry raising, is just one facet of the comprehensive programme of Australian aid in Phuoc Tuy. Also identified: 2791446 Private Daryl Geoffrey Williams of Temora, NSW.