KABUL (SW): The Ministry of Finance on Wednesday inked a deal worth $ 76 million with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for irrigation projects in northern and central parts of the country.
Asadullah Zamir, the minister for Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), stated that the ‘Amu-5 Project’ would help irrigate 88 hectors of land in Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan and Bamyan provinces. He added that these irrigation projects would be implemented in 3 stages, and the Ministry of Water and Energy would monitor the 1st stage.
Thomas Panella, the ADB’s country director for Afghanistan, stated that so far the ADB has funded 4.2 billion dollars for Afghanistan. He added that in the next three years, the ADB would provide Afghanistan with some $ 870 million worth of funds. Thomas Panella noted that with the implementation of the projects, the annual income of some 55,000 families would increase in the corresponding areas.
Speaking in this regard, Gonzalo Serrano, acting head for the EU Mission in Afghanistan, stated this additional contribution reinforces the long-standing commitment of the European Union to improve sustainable water management system in the Amu River basin.
The ‘Amu-5 Project’ would upgrade irrigation infrastructure, including main, secondary and tertiary canals as well as watershed management to protect the farmers from floods and improve water distribution to downstream users, particularly in dry seasons.
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