Acting Minister of Water and Energy, Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor, has said that managing Afghanistan’s water resources remains a top priority for the government.
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony in Maidan Wardak province, Mullah Mansoor highlighted the importance of newly completed water infrastructure projects in Jaghto and Nerkh districts. The projects include a check dam and three irrigation canals, aimed at improving water management and supporting agriculture.
The projects, which cost $200,000 and were funded by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), were implemented by the Maidan Wardak River Basin Authority. The dam was built in the village of Sheikh Ali in Jaghto, while the canals were constructed in the village of Awal Khail in Nerkh district. Officials say the infrastructure will irrigate dozens of hectares of farmland and reduce water loss.
“These types of development projects not only transform the lives of farmers but also provide sustainable support to the national economy,” Mansoor said. “Constructing check dams is a key step toward harnessing and managing the country’s water resources. They help store rainwater, raise groundwater levels, provide a steady supply for irrigation, and mitigate flood risks. We are committed to expanding such initiatives across the country to improve people’s quality of life and strengthen agriculture.”
Also present at the ceremony were Maidan Wardak’s Deputy Governor Hafiz Sayedurrahman, local religious scholars, and community leaders.
Deputy Governor Sayedurrahman said the projects would prevent water wastage, improve agricultural output, and ease local livelihoods.
Molavi Abdul Samad Haleem, Head of the Maidan Wardak River Basin Authority, stressed the importance of assessing each area’s needs according to technical standards. “This project is part of a wider strategy, and progress like this would not be possible without community cooperation,” he said.
Local resident Nazir Ahmad Nowruzi, speaking on behalf of the community, thanked the Islamic Emirate for the initiative and called for similar projects in other areas.
