Is herding goats a force-multiplier?

A local news clip on 2/2/2012 spoke about how the Department of Agriculture was training a Marine unit in how to approach an Afghan goatherder in the Helmond Province.

The USMC LtCol OIC said this is the 4th time this training has been offered.

I coiuldn't help but wonder if there indeed is a role for DoA "advice."

But, to me, it would be more along the lines of ERADICATING the opium crop that likely is funding the insurgents as opposed to being able to get up close and personal with a goatherder.

What am I missing?

The goats are like sheep to the Herder.