• Water and sanitation

Water and sanitation

This paper develops and presents a typology of irrigation systems in Afghanistan. The report is intended to enhance knowledge of irrigation methods and management with the aim of improving system performance and productivity. It is also intended to provide those involved in irrigation rehabilitation and natural resources management with a better understanding of the link between irrigation systems and livelihood sustainability.

It is noted that for the past 30 years, the rural sector has been severely impacted by war and civil unrest. The structures of irrigation systems have been damaged directly and sometimes deliberately. While many rehabilitation efforts by necessity have been emergency assistance, the paper stresses that long-term strategies to improve the performance and reliability of irrigation systems are also required.

The author argues that the long-term development of the irrigation sector should include consideration of the following key issues:

• improving system efficiency and productivity through enhancing infrastructure, increasing the equity of water allocations, and developing water storage systems
• enhancing system operation and maintenance by improving the organisation of informal systems, financial self sufficiency, design of structures to reduce de-silting, protection against water loss, and approaches to maintenance
• increasing sustainability of water resources through development of integrated catchment management plans and sustainable environmental management

Recommendations for policy makers include the following:

• develop a national inventory and database of irrigation systems to support sector planning and implementation of interventions
• conduct more research on the relationship between water entitlements and irrigation management
• further study the structure and function of local water organisations, including variations between and among systems and regions
• identify technically and socially appropriate ways to improve structure type and operation for surface water irrigation systems
• evaluate the maintenance requirements for typical irrigation infrastructure and the capacity of communities to undertake them
• promote policies and plans for the protection and sustainable development of groundwater resources
  
  
  
  

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