Hydrological Modeling under Data-scarce Conditions in Afghanistan: How to cope

Agriculture plays a crucial role in Afghanistan’s economy, although only 12% of the country’s land area is arable. Yet, the agricultural sector engages around 66% of the country’s workforce and consumes around 98% of the overall water withdrawal. Around 46% of the total arable area is equipped with irrigation infrastructure. For more than three decades, the country has suffered from war and political conflict. Beside causing tremendous human tragedy, its aftermath has inflicted huge damage upon urban and rural infrastructure such as the hydraulic system. This has led to huge water losses and it continues to hinder effective water management of irrigation schemes and watersheds.