Overview
The Emergency Irrigation Rehabilitation Project (EIRP) is the World Bank's first initiative in Afghanistan that specifically focuses on Irrigation. The program is assisting the country's Ministry of Energy and Water to rehabilitate dilapidated irrigation systems nationwide.
Challenges
Traditionally, villagers across Afghanistan diverted water from river to their fields by building channels with local timber, stone, and sand. However when the rivers overflows, and this happens 3-5 times a year, these fragile structures are washed away.
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Kapisa Province
The Kapisa province project involved construction of Nahar-e-Afghan Canal intake and 88 structures along the three main branches of this canal. Concrete was used for canal bed in order to prevent water from seeping underground. With the construction of Nahar-e-Afghan Canal intake and other supporting structures, water for irrigation now reaches to 65000 hectares of land in Kapisa; before the new intake was built, only 55000 hectares of land could be irrigated. Over 100 villages with 5,572 house holds are benefiting from the project. (Read More »)
Voices of Beneficiaries
72 year old
Haji Abdul Qahar is a proud patriarch of a 25 member family that spans three generations.
“Most people in our village depend on agriculture in some way or other. So, to stand on our own feet, it was essential for us to boost our agricultural produce as much as we could.”
Voices of Beneficiaries
"Good work is always appreciated by the people. As most of our people are engaged in agriculture, this helps everyone. And we have tasted the fruits of it already."
After the conflict,
Malik Sher Agha has now returned to farm his 2 hectares of land. He grows wheat, maize, barely, and vegetables.
Panjshir Province
A new concrete canal intake and concrete lining of canal bed were constructed so that more water reaches the fields. Across Badqool village, an additional 30 hectares and over 2000 jerib of land have come under irrigation with this project. (Read More »)
Voices of Beneficiaries
Abdul Munir has managed to earn extra money by working at project construction site
"I will be able to cultivate all 5 jerib of my land. My farm yields will increase. I will have enough wheat to feed my family. We will also be able to eat and live better as I will sell some of my wheat to buy more food and clothes for my family. This will make a big difference to our lives."
Voices of Beneficiaries
"Nobody has complained about water shortages and we haven't had to wait for our turn to irrigate our fields. Till now, my harvests were only enough to feed my family. But, this year, since I have cultivated all my land and not lost any of my crops, I will be able to sell 20-30% of my harvest."
Mohammad Sarwar from Nawalij village has been living with his family of 10 children and grand children.
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