Irrigation Association (IA)

Afghanistan has 6.5 Million hectare of cultivable land out of which only 5.6 Million hectare is cultivated. Out of this, 3.3 Million hectare is irrigated at varying degrees and the remaining 2.3 Million hectare is rain-fed agriculture. Of this, 3 Million hectare is Community Managed Irrigation Schemes (CMIS) while 0.3 Million hectare is formal schemes. It shows the importance of community-based irrigation management systems. The National Irrigation Program (NIP) also signifies the role of community-based irrigation management systems. The ultimate goal is to increase production and productivity through improved irrigation practices.

Irrigation Association (IA) is a volunteer association of real and legal persons which is established to manage water in an irrigation network. Irrigation Association, once established, plays an important role in community-based irrigation management systems. After the establishment of irrigation associations it is very important to strengthen these associations to build their capacities on various aspects of irrigation agronomy and on-farm water management to cope with issues concerning efficient and equitable utilization of water on the farmer’s field. Irrigation associations can also play their role during implementation of irrigation schemes. After the completion of an irrigation scheme, irrigation associations can operate and maintain the schemes.

Establishment and strengthening of irrigation associations are key activities of CDIS project. Since its inception, CDIS project has established two irrigation associations in Mirbachakot and Dehsabz Districts of Kabul Province. CDIS project has been providing trainings to irrigation associations on various aspects of irrigation agronomy and on-farm water management.