Water distribution systems and on-farm irrigation practices: limitations and consequences for Afghanistan’s agricultural productivity

Abstract

The absence of a reliable water supply to farmers is the single most important impediment to food security and agricultural expansion in Afghanistan. Agricultural water supply and distribution systems are reviewed, and a pragmatic strategy is outlined to increase water capital and to better utilize available water. The development and dissemination of on-farm practices that improve water management through community-based approaches represent the best opportunity for improving farmer livelihoods, maintaining social stability and developing a sound agriculture-based economy in the immediate future, independent of the success or failure of national water policies.

Keywords:

• agricultural extension
• food security
• mirab
• sustainable agriculture
• water-use efficiency
• Afghanistan

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the Afghanistan Water Agriculture and Technology Transfer Project, funded by the US Agency for International Development, and the Agriculture Development for Afghanistan Pre-Deployment Training programme, funded by the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service and Southern Illinois University. The opinions stated in this article are strictly those of the authors and are not intended to represent those of any government or organization.

Notes

1. The strategy was never published beyond a draft but was referenced in other documents such as United States Government Accountability Office (2010).