HERAT (TOLONews): A water diversion dam has been launched in Gulran district of Herat province under the project “Smart Agriculture and Water Management Against Climate Change,” implemented by the Afghan Red Crescent Society with financial support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
According to Ahmad Rashid, head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society office in Herat: “This project is being implemented for the people of this area, most of whom are returnees deported from Iran. After this, around 200 to 300 farmers will be provided with pistachio saplings, and we also plan to distribute cash assistance to them.”
Farmers in Gulran district have long suffered from severe drought and shortages of irrigation water.
Some of them say that due to reduced rainfall, their crops have failed, while during the rainy seasons, floods have damaged their orchards and homes.
Niaz Mohammad, a resident of Gulran, said: “We had many problems in our community and village because the water in our areas would dry up in the summer. The water was very limited, and we had no reserves, only four springs, which were not enough.”
Nazir Ahmad, another resident, added: “In recent years, there has been very little drinking water and irrigation water for farming.”
The cost of constructing this dam has been announced as 12.5 million Afghanis. Officials say this project will not only help provide irrigation water but will also contribute to job creation.
Most of the workers employed in this project are individuals who were recently deported from Iran.
Nisar Ahmad, one of the workers, said: “We were migrants in Iran for many years, and when we returned, job opportunities became available for me here.”
Abdul Rahim, another worker, said: “Several aid organization workers got involved, and this water diversion dam will be very useful for groundwater, agriculture, and livestock.”
Gulran, a northern district of Herat province, has been severely affected by the consequences of climate change in recent years.
