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| Grant Name | Water Resources Development Investment Program - Project 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Afghani., Is Rep. of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grant Number | 167 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Number | 42091- 03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Thematic Classification |
Environmental Sustainability
Gender Equity Capacity Development |
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| Project Rationale | Water Resources in Afghanistan. Sound management and development of Afghanistan's water resources are essential for its sustained economic growth. Afghanistan is arid. Precipitation varies substantial in terms of (i) geography, with little in the southwest to over a meter in the northeast, and (ii) temporally with most precipitation falling between November and April. The seasonal pattern of precipitation also leads to flooding, which causes significant economic loss in some areas, however, provides potential opportunities if these waters can be captured and effectively utilized. Harnessing the available water resources where and when they occur, and exploiting them most efficiently for irrigated agriculture and other uses is the key challenge.
Agricultural Economy. Agriculture employs about two thirds of the population and comprises up to half of Afghanistans licit gross domestic product. However, the production fluctuates yearly because of climatic conditions and irrigation is necessary in most areas. Irrigated agriculture accounts for about 80% of crop production. Almost 85% of Afghanistan's population live in rural areas and are either directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Improved access to irrigation stimulates rural economic growth and improves livelihoods. Irrigation Sector. Afghanistan has approximately 6.5 million hectares (ha) of arable land. By the mid-1970s, over 3 million ha received some form of irrigation. Today, 1.8 million ha have irrigation. About 80% of irrigated lands have been developed and managed by local communities in river valleys, and these systems are old and in a poor state of repair. Improving the performance of these existing traditional irrigation systems is one of most expedient options to boost the agricultural sector. "Modern" irrigation systems under state control were developed with foreign aid over the last 50 years. The Nangahar Valley Development Authority (NVDA) near Jalalabad was established by the former Soviet Union under a collective farm model. It is currently operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL). The systems supports perennial irrigation on 20,000 ha of prime agricultural land, 12,000 of which is privately owned with most of the rest on short term single season leases to small local farmers. All physical aspects of the irrigation system need rehabilitation. The Government also needs support to develop a business plan to restructure NVDA from an inefficient state enterprise to a corporate orientation. Seasonal Flooding. In many areas, annual flooding and bank erosion results in damage to irrigation systems; loss of prime agricultural land, rural infrastructure, and life. This is particularly acute in the upper Amu Darya River that borders Afghanistan and Tajikistan. ADB is implementing the Pyanj River Basin Flood Management Project to address flood issues. However, infrastructure investment is also needed to remedy problems, and currently, Afghanistan has little capacity for flood management. Policy and Institutional Framework. The policy and institutional framework are well designed for water resources in Afghanistan, however, their implementation will need support to build capacity and effective institutions. The new Water Law (signed by the President on 30 April 2009) provides the basic framework for the sector and enumerates ministerial responsibilities. The Water Law is based on best practice for integrated water resources management (IWRM) and establishes River Basin Agencies (RBAs) and River Basin Councils under the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW), which is responsible for development of large infrastructure and management of water resources. The five RBAs established under MEW provide a decentralized management structure and are to create basin master plans to guide basins development and management. MEW's capacity to develop and manage water resources has improved with regard to basic engineering and project management, but still requires significant support to fulfill its mandate especially at the regional level. The transition to RBAs and their full implementation will require a new approach and skills for MEW that currently do not exist. MEW has been responsible for water resources and irrigation projects in Afghanistan to date, however, the Water Law gives MAIL responsibility for irrigation development below the main canals, which are managed by MEW. MAIL has very limited capacity for irrigation, but it has drafted an irrigation sector strategy to develop its own programs for the sector. The emphasis is on small water harvesting and on-farm water management interventions, the latter of which is vital to help achieve the maximum productivity improvements from irrigation system rehabilitation and upgrade (R&U). Donors are working with MAIL to develop this capacity, and it is likely that MAIL will play an increasingly important and effective role for irrigated agriculture. While each has their own strategies, MAIL and MEW need to create a framework and joint plan for the irrigated agriculture sector that defines complimentary water resources programs for sector development. Strategic Context and Roadmap. The roadmap and strategic context for water resources is derived from the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS2008), which provides overall strategic guidance for the economic and social development of Afghanistan. The ANDS gives water resources management and development substantial attention and notes that to date there has been under-investment in the sector. The ANDS' vision is "to manage and develop the country's water resources so as to reduce poverty, increase sustainable economic and social development, improve the quality of life for all Afghans and ensure and adequate supply of water for future generations." Underpinning the ANDS is the national Water Sector Strategy, which addresses all subsectors including water supply, environment, and hydropower among others. Based on a comprehensive sector analysis, the Water Sector Strategy develops programs with associated investments, which include the following for program water resources and irrigation: (i) Institutional Set-up and Capacity Building Program, (ii) National Water Resources Development Program, (iii) National River Basin Management Program, (iv) Irrigation Rehabilitation Program, and (v) River Bank Protection. Under the most recent update, these programs and the individual projects that comprise them are about $2.5 billion over the medium term. In addition to the investments, the ANDS also has a Water Sector Strategic Action Plan that outlines policy, project preparation, and capacity development activities needed to achieve expected sector outcomes. This action plan and ANDS programmatic approach plus the existing legal and policy framework including the new Water Law based on IWRM principles, provide the strategic framework to support the sector investment. The programs and specific investment identified in ANDS provide a well defined roadmap for sector investment. ADB's Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) is fully aligned with ANDS priorities and outcomes, and the CPS highlights three sectors for ADB investments: (i) energy, (ii) transportation and communication, and (iii) agriculture and natural resources, including irrigation and water resources management, and governance. In addition to the CPS, Strategy 2020 the Long Term Strategic framework, supports investment water resource infrastructure as a core ADB business activity. The strategic direction in Afghanistan's water sector with regard to development of RBAs and the empowerment of water users is fully aligned with the ADB Water Policy, Water for All. Lessons Learned. ADB's experience to date has provided important lessons for operating in Afghanistan. Adequate project resources are required to ensure all aspects of project delivery while working in parallel to develop government capacity. Project management and financial management capacity need special attention, and strong project management offices are required to support project implementation. Regional projects require strong project support in Kabul for management and administration. Security is a part of doing business in Afghanistan, but risks can be mitigated with proper planning, coordination with local authorities and communities, and adequate resources. Contracting is difficult and local contractors have weak capacity, therefore larger and fewer contracts with international contractors is the preferred approach. A flexible approach backed by strong on-the-ground project preparation and management support that minimizes project gestation is essential. In this regard, the MFF supported by an effective project preparation facility provides an excellent modality that can be used to deliver a steady stream of projects as they are prepared, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, and providing monitoring and management in close consultation with Government. |
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| Impact | Increase productivity of farm production and environmental sustainability. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geographical Location | Balkh, Taloqan, and Jalalabad Provinces | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Safeguard Categories
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| Environment | B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resettlement | B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indigenous People | C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Procurement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consulting Services |
All consultants to be financed will be recruited in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2007, as amended from time to time).
The PMOs and PIOs will be supported by consulting services packages to complete detailed design and provide effective construction supervision. Firm consultants will be selected on quality based seleciton procedures. The MAIL package will provide 72 person-months of international consultants and 299 person-months of national consultants while the MEW package will provide 206 person-months of international consulting input and 758 person-months of national consulting input. About 10 person-months of individual consultant input will be recruited to accelerate project readiness for detailed design and tendering of the construction of Bangala weir and R&U of the Samarkandian weir. |
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| Civil Works/Goods | Procurement of works and goods to be financed under the Investment Program will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2007, as amended from time to time). International competitive bidding (ICB) will be used for supply contracts estimated costing more than $500,000 and for civil works that cost more than $2 million. National competitive bidding (NCB) will be used for goods and works above $100,000 and below the ICB thresholds. Shopping will be used for goods and works equal to or below $100,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Responsible ADB Officer |
Thomas Robert Panella |
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| Responsible ADB Department |
Central and West Asia Department |
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| Responsible ADB Division |
Energy and Natural Resources Division, CWRD |
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| Executing Agencies |
Ministry of Finance |
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| Timetable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concept Clearance | 01 Jul 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fact-finding | 16 May 2009 to 11 Jun 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Board Approval | 06 Oct 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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