Reconstructing a Karez to Build Agricultural Capacity

Afghanistan is an agricultural country. Almost eighty percent of its gross domestic product depends on agricultural production. Without proper irrigation, it is difficult, if not impossible, to grow agricultural products. For the last several years, severe drought has damaged crop production and caused an economic recession.

In the Takhtapol district, which is 70 km east of Kandahar City, Canada has been working with Central Asia Development Group (CADG) to reconstruct an old Karez (namely Hayat Aka Karez). A Karez is a traditional way to access water from underground flow that is connected to wells. It is a system to catch an up-water stream in an underground channel. The water collected is kept in a reservoir for irrigation.

The lack of water in this region affects the socio-economic status of the community. For the last few years most of the land in the region has not been cultivated because of the water shortage. The cost of reconstructing the Karez, which was estimated at approximately $40,000, was prohibitive, at least until there was support from Canada and CADG. As part of efforts to boost agricultural activities, CADG proposed to reconstruct the Karez.

Previously this Karez could only supply water for irrigation once every four days. Therefore, farmers could only cultivate limited areas of land because of the water scarcity. But now, after reconstructing this Karez, it can supply water every day. This project allows 150 farmers to cultivate their vast areas of land with sufficient water. Not only does the community benefit from the increased agricultural activities, jobs are created for day labourers who help work the land and produce a wider variety of crops. In addition, farmers who were forced to depend on poppy cultivation for their source of income, have new agricultural opportunities available to them.

This community that was once in crisis because of the water shortage, now has the opportunity to rebuild. Reconstructing the Karez demonstrates how improving access to basic services can help facilitate change, even one project at a time. The Karez project has the potential to turn around the economy for this community and create sustainable positive change.