Asian Development Bank

JFPR 9060: Balkh River Basin Integrated Water Resources Management
Afghanistan (AFG)

Project Summary

Counterpart loan/project(s)

Grant Type

Task Officer/ Department

Budget

Executing Agency

Implementing Agency

Scope

• Capacity Development
• Institutional Development
• Rehabilitation of Irrigation System

Objectives

Improve water resources management and agricultural productivity, and to provide greater livelihood opportunities and reduce rural poverty in the Balkh river basin.

Support physical rehabilitation and upgrading of traditional irrigation systems, strengthen water management through Afghanistan's traditional community-based mirab system, provide assistance to enhance agricultural productivity, and develop new institutional arrangements for integrated water resources management in the Balk River Basin. This is consistent with the principles of the National Development Framework of the Government and development strategy of the Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and Environment.

• Improved livelihood opportunities, water management, and agricultural productivity and reduced poverty in the Balkh river basin
• Reduced conflicts over water allocation and developed mechanisms for water allocation, planning and monitoring
• Improved infrastructure for irrigation and water management and improved operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities
• Strengthened capacity of government officials, water management associations and other stakeholders
• An institutional development for water management in the Balk river basin.

Main Project Components and Activities

1. Capacity development component aims to assist MIWRE, the mirabs, and other stakeholders develop capacity to reinforce the institutional development and technical components of the project. This component will address all aspects of the Project including strengthening capacity for the following: mirabs and their irrigation communities for water resources management; improved agricultural practices for basin inhabitants; integrated water resources management for MIWRE staff and mirabs including river basin planning and organization, water resources infrastructure investment planning and asset management, and construction supervision and monitoring; and contracting and construction for local communities with a focus on improving livelihood opportunities for the poor and ex combatants undergoing Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR).
   
   
2. B. Institutional development component aims to develop and strengthen sustainable water management institutions for the Balkh River within a basin framework. This component will (i) facilitate a stakeholder forum and dialogue; (ii) survey and map all irrigation systems as well as a detailed inventory of all water abstractions within the basin; (iii) develop a strategy and action plan for community management of irrigation based on the mirab system; (iv) develop a framework for water allocation within the basin; (v) develop a strategy and action plan for interventions to support enhanced agricultural productivity within communities; (vi) develop a river basin plan for water resources management, and an investment plan including a prioritized investment strategy, rationalization plan for existing irrigation schemes within the basin, and an asset management plan; (vii) develop a river basin organization and any required physical plant, and (viii) purchase equipment, vehicles, and other materials.
   
   
3. The component of irrigation system rehabilitation aims to support the civil works to rehabilitate, upgrade, and rationalize irrigation systems, and to support the contractors hired to execute the structure. The component will address the current dilapidated status and technically limitations of the irrigation systems. Civil works will be implemented through a community-based approach that will involve mirabs and water users in all aspects of the rehabilitation process. The community involvement will include both in kind contribution on behalf or project participants as well as provide income-generating opportunities for Basin inhabitants. In engaging community participation, emphasis will be to provide employment opportunities to the poor and DDR ex-combatants and their families as well as to provide capital build-up for mirabs. This component includes rehabilitation and upgrading of (i) river diversion intakes; (ii) canal works: (iii) canal structures; and (iv) small community storage facilities.

Any Other Relevant Information