Announcement of Technical Assistance for Irrigation Study in Afghanistan on May 4, 1965

HOLD FOR RELEASE • 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 For Release Subject: Technical Assistance for May 4, 1965 Irrigation Study in Afghanistan The World Bank has agreed to organize and help finance a study o( the Kunduz- Khanabad River Basin in norther11 Afghanistan to select a suitable area for a pilot project in integrated agricultural development. The Bank will bear the foreign exchange costs, estimated at $350,000, while the Government of Afghanistan will bear the local currency expenses. The Government and the Bank have agreed to engage the consulting firm of SOGREAH, Grenoble, France, to conduct the study. Agricultural .improvement is of basic importance to Afghanistan's economy, since it provides livelihood for 80% of the population and accounts for prac- • tically all exports. Reliable irrigation facilities and the wider application of modern agricultural techniques, such as the use of connnercial fertilizers and better farm implements, could lead to substantial increase in production. The Kunduz-Khanabad Basin, which has very productive soils provided irriga- tion water is available, is one of the most promising areas for agricultural improvement in the country. The study will cover the irrigable land and water resources of the river basin, including existing irrigation systems, the current status of agriculture and the genei:al possibilities for further development and ;i..mprovement of irrigation and agricultu-ral production. It is designed to deter- mine the justification for a detailed feasibility investigation of a specific project area. The study is expected to take about nine months. -·