Irrigation and agriculture
Duration: 00:11:15; Aspect Ratio: 1.366:1; Hue: 358.956; Saturation: 0.003; Lightness: 0.311; Volume: 0.155; Cuts per Minute: 13.420; Words per Minute: 91.984
Summary: Date (Afghan Calendar): 1355
Newsreel from 1355 showing large and small scale irrigation projects undertaken by Daoud’s republic in northern Afghanistan including the dam that is still unfinished today.
Footage Source: Afghan Films 35mm positive
Original Reel No.: positive reel #299
Translated by Rajni Prakash
Afghan Films present
Information and Culture
Afghanistan is an important region of the world for agriculture. It is evident from the scientific accounts of many globally reputed history books that the soft wheat which is today being consumed by people across the world, was crossbred and found by Afghan farmers for the first time. This happened almost ten thousand years ago.
Afghanistan's ancient farming system had become an example for many of world's less developed areas for years. Texts from Middle Asian classical history show that prior to all civilized centers of the world, agriculture, animal husbandry and irrigation system was customary in our country. A book on agriculture was published in this country for the first time and was distributed to people. Though, these agricultural principles and guidance came into existence almost 3500 years ago, dating back to the Avesta civilization, people still use this in traditional agricultural practices.
This is Ghorband. Look at these haughty waves which are now calmly ready to serve our agriculturists. Republican government has initiated for bringing fundamental changes in agriculture and irrigation system of the country and has taken lofty steps to make it a machinery system. In the coming future, trees will bloom in dry deserts and beautiful flowers will take the place of thickets.
This is the considerable data for irrigation project in Ghorband. Length of electricity canal - 3 Km; canal for irrigation - 10 Km; power production in one hour - 400 Kw; Till date more than 400 electricity meters have been given to people.
Now we are in historical area of Bamian. Republican government has renovated the old system of irrigation here as well and this way it has irrigated thousands of acres of land. For long time, traditional systems of irrigation played an important role in fulfilling our people's agricultural needs and would fulfill their needs. But with increase of infertile parts of country, slowly this traditional system of irrigation was left behind. Mutinous and furious water increased its waves and then our country started searching the ways to quell this water. With efforts of the republic and its progressive systems this endeavor became greater and faster. The department of water and energy was promoted and converted to a ministry; machinery would now be used in its sacred aim to make things happen faster. Strength of our people's strong arms which has been added to the progressive plans of the republic has gained success over nature day by day. This way, our country is heading towards development and progress.
Prime Minister's office
General Department of Water and Power Unit
Project of consolidation of Panj and Amu banks
And now we are in front of the Panj River, the river that has been flowing on this land for centuries. This river has been also mentioned in the (Zend) Avesta and Vedas. Panj River has put its bank under pressure for years altogether. Republic of our country took up a very big project for protection and pavement of banks of Panj River. Now banks of Panj River are stronger than they were earlier. This will remain strong for our compatriots for years and years.
After completion of this project, Panj River bank will be protected from demolItion. Panj river is one of those mountainous rivers which has been repeatedly recognized together with Amu River in the past and has been considered the only companion river of Amu's wanton waters. Both these rivers originate from one point and flow beside each other for several kilometers. This friendship of the same route is a historical friendship and its beginning is not known to us. Bank of Panj River is a cradle of ancient civilization. Panj River is originated from the world's roof top i.e. famous Pamir Mountain.
Look at this river carefully. This great river is known across the entire world. Almost 4000 years ago, this river was known as 'wodo-e-sora'. For this purpose Nahid or Venus was recognized as a goddess of water or source of more harvest. We must mention that this is the same Oxus, Jihon or Amu River. Greek's great historians recall this river with respect and have repeatedly spoken about Oxus River.
Hey Amu, I salute you
Salute to your wanton and proud waves
Banks of Amu River are cradle of civilization from past till date. Arians have spent initial days and nights of their historical advent at the banks of this river. If Amu starts talking, it would keep people occupied with its stories and memories for centuries. Banks of Amu River was destroyed by passing of time and due to heavy flow of its waves and its situation will deteriorate day by day. Republican government that is - the protector of span of this land initiated for strengthening of frontier bank of the country with help and cooperation of our hard working and brave people and prevented further demolition of banks of this river. Now banks of this river are being repaired - those banks that are proud of their stories throughout history. A civilization has been discovered from a bank of Amu River which belongs to almost twenty thousand years ago. So bank of this river should enjoy its old history. These are not the banks of Amu River but are golden pages of ancient history.
Afghanistan is an agricultural country and country's important economic sector is also agriculture and animal husbandry. That's why government has paid lots of attention to this sector. Government has directed the Ministry of Water and Energy that it should shortly start work of damming the rivers for the purpose of progress of agriculture sector.
In accordance with the same appreciated expectation, besides big projects of Paktia, Nangarhar, Helmand, Arghandab and Parwan irrigation republican government has also taken up medium and small projects in Harirod, Khanabad, Ghorband, Gohwargan and Chardara which will be ready for production.
This project is the Kokcha river irrigation project. With completion of this project, the water that was wasted earlier, would irrigate the green land and orchards. This would participate in making the Kokcha area more green and harvesting.
This is obvious that water flows from heights towards lower region. But with today's technique water is changing its path and finds its way to those streams that are manmade.