370 laborers find work against food in Nuristan

PARON (Pajhwok): Hundreds of laborers have been employed to work on two canal projects against food in the capital of eastern Nuristan province, an official said on Saturday.

Maulavi Sulaiman Aiman, Nuristan agriculture, livestock and irrigation department head, said the construction of two canals in Paron were financially assisted by the World Food Program (WFP) while the New Consultancy and Relief Organization (NCRO), an Afghan voluntary organization, was implementing the projects.

Aiman added: “Tens of acres of land will become arable and hundreds more will be irrigated with construction of these two canals”.

Mohammad Gullab Omari, head NCRO at the projects’ inauguration ceremony, said the Ashtivi canal in the capital city measuring 4,800 meters would be constructed over the next six months. He said 135 people worked on the projects.

According to Omari, the second canal begins from Fruns area of the provincial capital and has 7,700 meters length. This canal will bring under irrigation tens of acres of barren land.

The second canal will be completed in one year with the help of 235 workers, he added.

Both canals are being constructed under the work for food program and every laborer will be provided wheat, cooking oil, salt and other food items, the official said.

Najibullah, a resident of Ashtivi village, was happy with the projects which he said would solve the issue of irrigation water shortage and increase agricultural production.

aw/ma