Mazar Foods Project Environmental Impact Statement

205 Pages·2008·3.32 MB·English

Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Mazar
Foods Agricultural/Irrigation Development
Final Draft
Balkh Province, Afghanistan

DRAFT February 1, 2008
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was
prepared by Chemonics International and The Cadmus Group, Inc.
Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Mazar Foods
Agricultural/Irrigation Development
Balkh Province, Afghanistan

Final Draft

Prepared for:

USAID/Afghanistan

Prepared by:

Chemonics International
&
The Cadmus Group

Submitted:

February 4, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACRONYMS......................................................................................................................I
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS............................................................................................1
Major Conclusions........................................................................................................................4
Recommendation # 1..................................................................................................................................4
Recommendation #2...................................................................................................................................5
Recommendation #3...................................................................................................................................6
1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................7
1.1 Purpose and Need for the Project...................................................................................7
1.1.1 Purpose.......................................................................................................................................7
1.1.2 Need for Agriculture/Irrigation..................................................................................................8
1.2 Objectives of the EA and Policy, Legal, and Administrative Framework..................9
1.2.1 Summary Description of Proposed Project Activities................................................................9
1.2.2 Regulatory considerations (Host Country, USAID, OPIC, including relevant international
agreements)..............................................................................................................................11
1.2.3 Requirements of Potential Investors, Lenders, and Insurers....................................................13
1.2.4 Relationship of this EA to Other Environmental Documentation............................................14
1.3 EA Scoping Process........................................................................................................14
1.3.1 Narrowing Issues for Consideration.........................................................................................14
1.3.2 Public and Stakeholder Participation.......................................................................................15
1.4 EA Methodology.............................................................................................................15
1.4.1 Team Composition, Responsibilities, and Technical Approach...............................................16
1.4.2 Schedule of Meeting and Site Visits........................................................................................22
1.5 EA Consultation and Review.........................................................................................24
1.6 Public and Stakeholder Comment................................................................................28
2 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES.................................................29
2.1 Description of Proposed Actions...................................................................................29
2.1.1 Land Preparation and Clearing, Ancillary Road Development, Construction Camps, etc.......30
2.1.2 Water Abstraction....................................................................................................................32
2.1.3 Water Distribution Systems Development, Construction, Operation and Maintenance...........34
2.1.4 Energy Provision – Types and Impacts of Energy Needed for Irrigation, Operations,
Processing, and Transport........................................................................................................35
2.1.5 Soil Preparation and Agrochemical Use...................................................................................36
2.1.6 Crop Management, Seed Selection, Planting, Harvesting, Storage, and Transportation..........36
2.1.7 Pest Management.....................................................................................................................40
2.1.8 Crop Processing (e.g., cold chain, washing and packaging, waste generation, and disposition41
2.1.9 Provision of Food Processing and Storage Facilities...............................................................43
2.1.10 Building Construction and Operation.......................................................................................44
2.1.11 Provision of Labor and Housing, Social Service, etc...............................................................44
2.1.12 Security Arrangements.............................................................................................................44
2.2 Alternatives to Proposed Actions and Comparison of Alternatives..........................45
2.2.1 No Action Alternative..............................................................................................................45
2.2.2 Deep Borehole Well/Water Supply versus Other Sources of Irrigation...................................45
2.2.3 Alternative Design Strategies for Irrigation (pivot, sprinkler vs. drip systems, etc.)...............45
2.2.4 Linkages to Alternatives to USAID/OPIC and Host Government Objectives.........................46
2.2.5 Proposed Alternatives..............................................................................................................46
2.2.6 No Action Compared to Proposed Actions..............................................................................46
2.3 Identification of Preferred Alternative Actions...........................................................46
3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT – BASELINE SITUATION............................49
3.1 Local and Regional Context and designation of Project Area under Consideration49
3.2 Physical Environment....................................................................................................49
3.2.1 Physical Geography: Climate, Geology, Topography, Historical Precipitation Records, Soils,
Agro-ecological zones..............................................................................................................49
3.2.2 Agro-ecological zones..............................................................................................................52
3.2.3 Hydrology................................................................................................................................52
3.2.4 Water Quality...........................................................................................................................54
3.2.5 Natural Events History (earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.)..........................................................59
3.3 Biological Environment.................................................................................................60
3.3.1 Biodiversity and Threatened or Endangered Species...............................................................60
3.3.2 Proximity to Protected Areas and Forest Resources or Unique or Sensitive Natural Habitat..61
3.3.3 Proximity to Sensitive Cultural or Archeological Sites............................................................61
3.3.4 Renewable or Non-Renewable Resources................................................................................61
3.3.5 Vegetation and Vegetative Cover Loss....................................................................................62
3.4 Socio-Economic (Human) Environment.......................................................................62
3.4.1 Description of Residential and Occupational Population in or Near the Project Area.............62
3.4.2 Description of Previous, Current, and Planned Land Use Activities and Ownership in or Near
the Project Area (e.g. agriculture, agribusiness, livestock, and fisheries), including use or
habitation by indigenous peoples.............................................................................................62
3.4.3 Other Existing or Proposed Agriculture/Irrigation, Agribusiness Projects in the Region........63
3.4.4 Local/Regional Cultural and Institutional Setting....................................................................63
3.4.5 Sites of Archeological, Historical, or Cultural Importance......................................................64
3.4.6 Socio-Economic Characteristics...............................................................................................64
4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES...........................................................69
4.2 Potential Adverse and Beneficial Impacts of Mazar Foods Agricultural/Irrigation
Actions during Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance......................................69
4.2.1 Water Hydrology, Demand, Quantity and Quality, and Aquifer Abstraction Impacts.............69
4.2.2 Water Management Issues _ Demand Management, Distribution System Construction,
Operation and Maintenance, Use of Equipment, and Equipment Maintenance.......................71
4.2.2.1 Summary of impacts associated with water resources............................................................71
4.2.4 Potential Pesticide-Related Impacts.........................................................................................72
4.2.5 Impacts of Fertilizer Use..........................................................................................................72
4.2.6 Seed Selection and Genetically Modified Organism Issues.....................................................73
4.2.7 Potential Impacts on Soil Conditions, Including Soil Erosion.................................................73
4.2.8 Impacts on Vegetation..............................................................................................................74
4.2.9 Other Potential Impacts on Natural and Biological Resources................................................74
4.2.10 Potential Effects on Biodiversity and Threatened or Endangered Species...............................75
4.2.11 Potential Impacts on Parks, Reserves, or Other Protected Areas.............................................75
4.2.12 Potential Adverse and Beneficial Human Impacts...................................................................75
4.2.12.1 Population and Settlements (including impacts on adjacent communities – health, water,
waste).......................................................................................................................................75
4.2.12.2 Sensitive Cultural, Historic, or Archaeological Resources......................................................76
4.2.12.3 Potential Health and Disease Impacts in the Project Area and Regionally.............................77
4.2.12.4 Potential Occupational and Safety Hazards in the Project Area and Regionally....................77
4.2.12.5 Other Socio-economic Consideration, with an Emphasis on Conformity with ILO Standards
and Destination Market............................................................................................................78
4.2.13 Energy and Other Resource Commitments..............................................................................78
4.3 Impacts of No Action Alternative.................................................................................78
5 PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL PREVENTION AND MITIGATION
MEASURES...........................................................................................................79
5.1 Design Phase Mitigation (Mazar Foods site selection, irrigation technologies)........79
5.1.1 Site Selection............................................................................................................................79
5.1.2 Selection of Irrigation Technologies........................................................................................79
5.1.3 Water Demand and Conservation.............................................................................................80
5.2 Construction Phase Mitigation......................................................................................80
5.2.1 Construction Materials Acquisition and Support.....................................................................80
5.2.2 Access Roads...........................................................................................................................80
5.2.3 Biological Impacts...................................................................................................................81
5.2.4 Erosion, Dust, and Noise Control.............................................................................................81
5.2.5 Energy and Water Provision during Construction....................................................................82
5.2.6 Construction Camp Operation and Management.....................................................................82
5.2.7 Worker Community Health and Safety....................................................................................82
5.2.8 Construction Phase Waste Minimization and Disposal............................................................82
5.3 Operations Phase Mitigation.........................................................................................83
5.3.1 Water Conservation..................................................................................................................83
5.3.2 Salinization...............................................................................................................................84
5.3.3 Erosion Control and Soil Conservation....................................................................................85
5.3.4 Energy Conservation and Management..................................................................................86
5.3.5 Operations-Phase Waste Minimization, Treatment and Disposal............................................87
5.3.6 Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) Requirements and
Process.....................................................................................................................................89
5.3.7 Natural Resource Management (e.g., sustainable management of biological resources).........90
5.3.8 Mitigation of Impacts of Cultural Resources...........................................................................91
5.3.9 Mitigation of Human Impacts: Compensation, Training, etc...................................................91
5.3.10 Occupational Safety and Health Measures...............................................................................93
5.3.11 Major Hazard Prevention and Emergency Response...............................................................93
5.4 Decommissioning Measures...........................................................................................94
5.5 Mitigative Measures for Indirect, Induced, and Cumulative Impacts......................94
6 ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AND MONITORING PLAN (EMMP) 97
6.1 Scope of Work – Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Specialist...................97
6.2 Mazar Foods Project Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Annual Workplan
Guidelines......................................................................................................................101
6.3 Environmental Review Form......................................................................................141
7 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT AND EVALUATION CONSIDERATION....155
8 PROJECTED NET ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (POST-
MITIGATION)....................................................................................................157
9. PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER AND COMMENT................................................161
10 CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................................173
11 LIST OF PREPARERS.......................................................................................175
11.1 Author Information......................................................................................................175
11.1.1 Names, Affiliations, and Qualifications of Project Team.......................................................175
11.1.2 Relationship of Authors to Project Sponsors..........................................................................179
12. DOCUMENTS CONSULTED............................................................................181
13 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE.............................183
14 POPULATION OF KHULM DISTRICT BY VILLAGE/GUZAR................187
15 MAPS AND SKETCHES OF WATERSHEDS................................................195
Acronyms

ADA Afghan Development Association
ADB Asian Development Bank
AFR/SD USAID Bureau for Africa Sustainable Development Division
AID Agency for International Development
ANDS Afghanistan National Development Strategy
ANE USAID Bureau for Asia and The Near East Technical Support Division
APPPA Afghanistan Pilot Participatory Poverty Assessment
ASAP Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Program
BAS Basic Afghanistan Services
BDC Mazar Foods Business Development Plan
BEO Bureau Environmental Officer
EA Environmental Assessment
ECL Environmental Compliance Language
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EIRRP Emergency Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project
EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
ESA Environmental Site Assessment
ET Evapotranspiration
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GIS Geographic Information Systems
GlobalGAP Global Good Agricultural Practices
GNI Gross National Income
GPS Global Positioning System
HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
HP Horse Power
IFC International Finance Corporation
IFS International Food Standard
ILO International Labor Organization
IOM International Organization for Migration
ISAF International Security Assistance Force
JFPR Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction
i
KVA Kilovolt-amps
LDC Low-Income Developing Countries
LLC Limited Liability Company
MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock
MEO Mission Environmental Officer
MIWRE Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and Environment
MWR Ministry of Water Resources
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
O&M Operations and Maintenance
OPIC Overseas Private Investment Corporation
OPS United Nations Office for Project Services
PEA Programmatic Environmental Assessment
PERSUAP Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan
PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal
RAMP Rebuilding Agriculture Markets Program
SAR Sodium Absorption Ratio
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System
SMEC Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation
TDS Total Dissolved Solids or Salinity
TIC Traditional Irrigation Component
UN United Nations
UNMACA United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan
UNDP United Nations Development Program
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
UNOCA United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian and
Economic Assistance Programmes in Afghanistan
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
USAID United States Agency for International Development
UXO Unexploded Ordnance
WASSA Women’s Activities and Social Services Association
ii
Draft 04Feb08
Summary of Findings

Introduction

The United States Agency for International Development’s Mission to Afghanistan
(USAID/Afghanistan) has selected Chemonics International to implement its Accelerating
Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP). The purpose of this 40-month (12/2006-3/2010)
program “is to accelerate broad-based, market led agriculture development capable of responding
and adapting to market forces in ways that provide new economic opportunities for rural
Afghans.” To fulfill its purpose, ASAP will accomplish two objectives: 1)Accelerate relevant
technology generation and transfer, with an increased focus on marketing of high-value
commodities, competitiveness, sustainability and natural resource management, and 2) Improve
the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan, and specifically the Ministry of Agriculture,
Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), to formulate agriculture sector policies and strategies and carry
out administrative and financial coordination needed in support of more competitive, market-led
agriculture production and agribusiness.

Under Modification 1 to ASAP, Chemonics is providing customized technical assistance for the
establishment of the Mazar Foods Corporation; a proposed 10,000 hectare agricultural/irrigation
development in Balkh Province, Afghanistan.

Discussions are underway with OPIC concerning a loan of up to $80 million towards
establishment of the Corporation1.

Figure 1. View of Mazar Foods project site. (Photo by Ali Azimi)

Purpose and Need for the Project

The Mazar Foods Corporation is being established as a
state-of-the art, private sector-driven agribusiness
venture to produce, process, and market horticultural
products for domestic Afghan and regional markets. Its
production and processing facilities will be located in the
fertile Khulm District, in the Balkh Province. The
selected site shall consist of 10,000 hectares
(approximately 25,000 acres) of contiguous or closely

Figure 2. Map of Afghanistan

1 Chemonics International, Inc. 2007. Mazar Foods Project Business Development Plan and Pre-Feasibility Study,
dated December 19, 2007. USAID Contract No. 306-C-00-07-00501-00.

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Draft 04Feb08
joined parcels which will have access to a major airport and a skilled labor pool. Additionally,
the site has rail access to markets in Russia via Uzbekistan and road access to the largest domestic
market in Kabul.

Mazar Development Foundation
In addition to establishment of the Mazar Foods Corporation, the project also will support the
formation of a separate Mazar Development Foundation which is to provide a program of
improved basic services to communities throughout the Province.

Program Overview

Farm Site and Surroundings

The Project Area is about 14 km by 31km located west/northwest of Khulm City. The land
surface slopes from south to north with some hilly areas. About 25 to 30% of the land is
cultivated by local people. The principal crops include wheat, barley, alfalfa, melon, water melon,
onion, lady finger, aubergine, tomato, coriander, spinach, etc. The fruit and nut crops include
almonds, pomegranate, figs, grapes, cherry and black cherry. (BAS 2007)2

Figure 3. Mazar Foods project site (photo courtesy Google Earth)

The selected farm site is adjacent to the road connecting Mazar-i-Sharif and Khulm, beyond the
intersection with the Hairatan road in the province of Balkh. This site was selected from a recent
study of several possible locations for the Project. The region has many working farms and

2 Basic Afghanistan Services. 2007. Report of the Prefeasibility Study, Irrigation Potential, Khulm District, Balkh
Province, Afghanistan. ASAP Khulm District Project.

2