Kabir hints at water supply to Kabul from Panjsher

KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Maulvi Abdul Kabir says Afghanistan’s agricultural sector will be revolutionised with the completion of the Qush Tepa Canal project.

He also announced a plan for a water transfer system from Panjsher to Kabul to address the water shortage problem being faced by the nation’s capital.

He made the remarks at the opening ceremony for a sapling plantation drive at the Badam Bagh Research Farm here on Tuesday.

The deputy premier underlined the importance of tree plantation, calling it a crucial measure to combat adverse effects of climate change and drought in Afghanistan.

According to a recent report of the United Nations, Afghanistan has never experienced this kind drought in the past 30 years and planting trees is the best way in this situation.

Maulvi Kabir said many countries were harmed by climate change, but Afghanistan was the worst-affected.

Small and vulnerable nations like Afghanistan were not important to the big and industrialised countries of the world, he commented.

About the challenges faced by Afghanistan, Kabir highlighted the detrimental impact of war, occupation, and climate change, resulting in increased temperatures, air pollution and damage to forests.

He acknowledged the shortage of portable water in Kabul and other areas, attributing it to the absence of a consistent supply and canalisation system.

Referring to efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the deputy premier announced a plan for a water supply system from Panjsher to Kabul to address the issue.

He affirmed the commitment of the Islamic Emirate to banning deforestation nationwide and reviving the affected areas, recognising the detrimental effects of drought and deforestation on the Afghan economy, leading to poverty.

He said one check dam was being constructed in every district of the country to manage water resources and combat drought.

Kabir also cited the progress made in the construction of the Qush Tepa Canal, a flagship project for the development of the agriculture sector.

Kabir also highlighted a significant increase of nearly 50 percent in the export of fresh fruits from Afghanistan this year, which is expected to continue growing in the following year.

Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Minister Maulvi Attaullah Omari said Afghan growers were still using traditional methods, but the government was working on mechannising the agriculture.

He added Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (MoAIL) had distributed 40,000 to 50,000 metric tonnes of improved wheat seeds and 82 million seedlings to the people.

The MoAIL has kicked off a national campaign titled “Planting Plants, Eradicating Drought” at the Badam Bagh Research Farm, would continue for a month and 30 million saplings would be planted.

kk/mud

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