Japanese ambassador to Afghanistan Mitsuji Suzuka said on Monday the current drought in Afghanistan is tragic and that the country’s irrigation system needs to be  standardized. 

The Japanese envoy made the comments at a ceremony where he announced a financial package of $10 million to develop an irrigation system in Kabul, Bamiyan and Kapisa provinces. 

Together Suzuka, the acting minister of water and energy Mohammad Gul Kholmi and Rajendra Aryal, Country Director for Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) signed the agreement at the event in Kabul.

Addressing guests, Suzuka said: “Agricultural products have significantly decreased in the country due to recent droughts. It has created a tragic situation for the delivery of foods. But if natural resources are utilized properly, the impact would be limited.”  

“We will be able to work together, we should be able to work together, we are on the same boat, we have the sustainable development goals, zero hunger, which we have to achieve by 2030, and I think with our collaboration and cooperation we will be able to achieve it,” said FAO’s Aryal.

However it will be the ministry of water and energy’s job to implement the project. 

“It is necessary to undertake the management of water for a permanent basis. Water resources must be utilized in the correct way so as to promote agriculture and village economies,” said Kholmi.

Japan has been the third major financial partner to Afghanistan’s reconstruction process and has since 2001 provided over $6 billion in aid to Afghanistan.