Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

at the same time rehabilitating and improvinginfrastructure. They consider short term emergencywater infrastructure rehabilitation andincome generation needs as well as the longterm goal of sustainable development of institutionsand creation of new multifunctionalinfrastructure.The development of the country’s water resourceswill continue to be heavily influencedby programs and projects implemented by donors.It is essential that these activities be effectivelycoordinated and aligned with the prioritiesin the ANDS. SCWAM will undertake aleadership role among government organizationsin providing coordination with the internationalcommunity. The ANDS water sectorgoals are achievable with the implementationof an effective integrated water resource developmentstrategy. Some of the benefits will berealized only over the long term, while otherswill be realized within a very short time span.Expected OutcomesThe key expected outcomes of the Water SectorStrategy are:• Improved water sector legal and governancestructures and institutions in place• Sustainable water resource managementstrategies and plans covering drinking andirrigation water supply developed and implemented.• Water resources for drinking and irrigationpurposes improved as well as poverty reductionand employment creation.• Infant mortality decreased and life expectancyincreased as result of higher access toclean water. (For more detailed informationrefer to Appendixes 3-National Action Planand 4-Monitoring Matrix.)AGRICULTURE AND RURALDEVELOPMENTRole of the Sector:The ANDS long term strategic vision for agricultureand rural development is to ensure thesocial, economic and political well-being of ruralcommunities, especially poor and vulnerablepeople, while stimulating the integrationof rural communities within the national economy.This will require transforming agriculturalproduction so that it is more productiveand increasingly commercially oriented andexpanding off-farm employment opportunitiesas the basis for increasing incomes among therural population. This sector strategy articulatesa road map for the way forward in whichpoverty reduction through economic regenerationis the central objective. A central focus ison supporting the poorest and most vulnerablesegments of rural society and promoting thedevelopment of medium and large scale commercialagricultural activities. Advancementsin the sector will improve the quality of life forrural citizens, increase food security, improvethe delivery of basic services, increase incomesand contribute to establishing a safe and secureenvironment.The Afghanistan Compact Benchmarks relateddirectly to agriculture and rural developmentcall for measurable improvements in:Compact Benchmark 6.1• The necessary institutional, regulatory andincentive framework to increase productionand productivity will be established tocreate an enabling environment for legalagriculture and agriculture-based rural industries.• Public investment in agriculture will increaseby 30 percent. Particular considerationwill be given to perennial horticulture,animal health, and food security by: institutingspecialized support agencies and financialservice delivery mechanisms, supportingfarmers’ associations, branding nationalproducts, disseminating timely priceand weather-related information and statistics,providing strategic research and technicalassistance, and securing access to irrigationand water management systems.Compact Benchmark 6.2• assistance to and rehabilitation and integrationof refugees and internally displacedpersons; and• assistance to female-headed householdsthat are chronically poor and increases intheir employment rates.Economical and Social Development 87