Project Description

This project will provide new water and irrigation capabilities on the west side of the Arghandab river where very little exists today. They will be six new "Check Dams" constructed using local labor as shown below. The 6 check dams will allow for immediate relief on the west side of the valley where an urgent requirement exists for additional irrigation. The contract will provide all labor, materials, and equipment to construct check dams for watershed management at six locations in five villages (Shuyen e Olya, Maktab e qazi Mohamm, Jelawur, Adirah, Kuhak), Arghandab District, Kandahar Province.

Project Goals

The primary goal is to increase irrigation capability for the rural poor and small famers in the area of the check dams. The increase of available water will allow these the local inhabitants to grow more crops and thereby increase their employment and income (through increased working days per hectare), it will provide for additional security against impoverishment and migration, and an improved quality of life. This project further legitimizes the Afghanistan government by supporting the strategic goals of Afghanistan and working towards the continued development of an overall watershed management plan. The additional income possible because of the increased agriculture will provide a much needed boost in the local markets and the economy of the surrounding area. Local farmers will be able to grow more than needed for their families and therefore be able to sell the extra crops at the local markets which will increase their yearly income. Overall, this project will increase the quality of life for the villagers in the entire surrounding areas. Secondary goals include additional water for livestock, ground water recharge, and drought proofing villages. Comments: From an environmental perspective, small scale water harvesting structures such as check dams provide the most effective option for poor and small rural areas. They are a more efficient catchment system when widely used in a watershed area rather than large dams. They help to counter some of the adverse effects of the rainy season by allowing for more percolation of the water into the soil thereby recharging wells and underground water levels; helping to increase soil moisture and vegetation, reducing erosion, and reducing potential damage from flash floods. Check dams are a decentralized form of irrigation under the control of farmers allowing them to make micro adjustments to their watering regimes in response to local factors and thereby improve crop yields. 

This is an RC(S) CERP project that will be executed with the battlespace owner, the Ministry of Energy and Water, and the KPRT.

Results

10-04-2011: Updating project information based on information from attached media.

Updates

10-04-2011: Updating project information based on information from attached media.