November 03, 2023

How a single canal will overcome Afghanistan's food insecurity

topic:	Sustainable Agriculture
located:	Afghanistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

In its second construction phase, the Qosh Tepa Canal in Afghanistan will address many of this war-ravaged country's miseries. 

The 285km canal will draw much-needed water from the Amu River for irrigation in Afghanistan's three northern provinces: Balkh, Faryab and Jawzjan. This water source, set to be completed in five years, will irrigate an estimated 550,000 hectares of land - significantly addressing the country's food insecurity dilemma. 

Last month, the country's de facto Taliban authorities announced the completion of its first phase and initiation of the second one. There are no international financing or loan programs for this multi-million dollar project, which makes it unique in its status and a test of the regime in Kabul.  

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan voiced concerns over water sharing, given that the development involves the Amu River, which flows through all three countries. Despite tensions, the ambitious project offers an opportunity to abate regional hostilities and bring prosperity to the deserted north of Afghanistan.  

The development aims to boost agriculture locally, where starvation is spreading. Since the fall of the Republic and the return to power of the Taliban, Afghanistan has been on a lifeline provided by the international humanitarian community. Every year, the UN and other donor agencies support the millions in need of aid in Afghanistan, primarily women and children, though this is insufficient. 

International support in technique, logistics, and conflict resolution would greatly help the success of the Qosh Tepa project. Afghanistan's neighbours should acknowledge that the country has been unable to access its fair share of water from the Amu River due to ongoing conflicts. In exchange for goodwill, Afghanistan can facilitate gas and electricity transit projects from Central to South Asia with projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline (TAPI) and the World Bank's CASA project, which aims to improve digital government services and increase access to affordable internet in Afghanistan.

The humanitarian community can take inspiration from the remarkable work of Japanese aid worker Tetsu Nakamura. By constructing small irrigation canals and teaching modern farming techniques, Nakamura transformed barren lands in eastern Afghanistan into fertile fields that could sustain the local communities. His approach focused on empowerment rather than charity, offering a valuable lesson on how sustainable development can be achieved through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Photo by kazuend.

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