Revitalizing the Nahr-e-Karim canal in Laghman

In the fields of Qarghaee district in Laghman province, the 18.8-kilometre Nahr-e-Karim canal, “the generous river” in Dari, has long shaped daily life. Built primarily through local manual labour and community cooperation, it channels water from the Alishang and Alingar rivers to support agriculture across 14 villages.

For over a century, it has irrigated about 966 hectares of farmland, nourishing crops, sustaining families and anchoring a rural economy that depends on every drop of water in a semi-arid environment.

Over time, conflict and climate extremes damaged parts of the canal, disrupting water flow, reducing yields, and increasing the risk of floods and droughts. Water leaked away. Farmers, especially downstream, struggled to irrigate their fields, often pooling their own resources to keep water flowing. 

“Before the canal rehabilitation, we had to collect money every year from all farmers to divert water for our crops,” said Haji Omarzai, a community elder and downstream farmer. “Now the water comes reliably, and we can grow what sells well in the market.”

In August 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a project to rehabilitate part of the canal. By April 2025, engineers and local workers had rehabilitated 5.44 kilometres of the canal, lining it to reduce seepage, repairing intake and offtake structures to improve control, and reinforcing 450 meters of canal bank walls to protect against erosion. They also cleared four kilometres of blockages and sediment, allowing water to reach more fields. This more equitable distribution has eased tensions over water, which previously led to disputes among downstream farmers.

These improvements have restored water to previously underserved areas and expanded the irrigated zone from 966 to 1,344 hectares, boosting food production and incomes. Farmers began diversifying beyond wheat and maize, growing rice, peanuts, cabbage, cauliflower and potatoes to boost harvests and meet market demand. In the lower reaches, where summer crops were previously limited, yields have improved. 

“This canal is giving life to our crops,” said community elder and upstream farmer, Haji Mohammad Fahim. “It helps us grow the vegetables that feed Kabul and nearby provinces. We’re proud of that.”

The project also created 330 local jobs, including 30 for women employed in gabion weaving—stone-filled cages used to shore up riverbanks, protect from flash floods and capture erratic rainfall.

A total of 95 small-scale social structures were built, including culverts, designated ablution areas and safe water access points. Two reservoirs, two earthen ponds, and 5 300 trenches were also constructed, improving water retention and reducing erosion.

Local farmers helped to identify priorities and shape solutions, and they now lead maintenance efforts. Their ownership ensures the canal’s future.

Today, Nahr-e-Karim is once again living up to its name, benefiting over 31,850 people and remaining a vital source of fresh produce.

Beyond the canal rehabilitation, the project supported wheat cultivation and introduced small-scale fish farming. 

Three thousand families received wheat cultivation packages, consisting of certified wheat seeds, fertilizer and training. As a dietary staple providing nearly 70% of daily calories in Afghanistan, wheat is central to food security. Farmers planted 1,200 hectares and expect to harvest about 4,500 tonnes—enough to feed a family of seven, with surplus for two more. These certified seeds typically meet household cereal needs for up to nine months and can be replanted for the next three to four seasons.

In parallel, FAO helped establish four community fishponds, providing fingerlings, feed, and training. Each pond can yield up to 1.5 metric tonnes of fish per year, worth about USD 7,000. The fish provide a new source of income and protein-rich food.

Together, these efforts help communities withstand climate shocks that continue to threaten agricultural livelihoods and increase the risk of displacement, deepening food insecurity.

While challenges persist, this small yet impactful project shows how targeted support and local leadership can drive lasting change.

This project was made possible thanks to the contributions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Fund for Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, collectively through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund.