Chartered water user associations of Afghanistan: self-financing, self-managing, self-governing
Date
2007-10
Authors
Priest, John E., author
Assifi, A. Tawab, author
Sultani, M. Ibrahim, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Ninety percent of the irrigators of Afghanistan own, operate and maintain canal systems. Traditionally, "Mirabs" manage water deliveries. They are chosen by water users, collect revenues and administer a limited O&M budget. The canal systems were in poor condition and delivered adequate water to approximately 1/3 of irrigated areas in 2003. Yet, international agencies, UN and IBRD, reported that agriculture provided 75 to 90 percent of GDP and employment. The 3-year "Rebuilding of Agricultural Markets Program" (RAMP) was designed by USAID and awarded to Chemonics International, July 2003. RAMP Infrastructure undertook the rebuilding of irrigation systems. Since government lacked financial resources, a program to incorporate Mirabs into a Self-Governing Water User Association (WUA), based on legal chartering, was designed by Chemonics International and executed by Development Alternatives Inc (DAI). Undertakings, to form a WUA for the 14,500-hectare Injil Canal Command of Herat Province, were: • Scoping and funding to achieve chartering of a WUA. • Convince an Afghan of stature to lead the program (Eng. Tawab Assifi). • Form capable Afghan Organizational Team (included noted jurist — Islamic and Civil law). • Review and possibly modify laws and regulations (chartering of WUAs was written into a New Water Law). • Map system and set up accurate voter (water user) registers. • Conduct elections for a General Assembly of water users. • Rebuild structures, Hari Rud/River (Head Works with silt ejector) to water intakes (200 each). Elections were held early during 2006, key personnel were trained, and equipment was transferred to the Injil WUA at mid year by RAMP/Chemonics.
Description
Presented at the Role of irrigation and drainage in a sustainable future: USCID fourth international conference on irrigation and drainage on October 3-6, 2007 in Sacramento, California.