Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015

The two and half decades of civil strife followed by severe drought from 1999 - 2004, is resulting devastating situation on ru ral livelihood through decline in agriculture and livestock productivity, the main stay of around 80 percent of population in Afghanistan. There were many sectors affected by water scarcity due to long term drought and water related issues including agricu ltural sector. Bamyan, like some other parts of the country are suffering from water scarcity. This study presents an evaluation of decline in agriculture land, decline in agriculture productivity due to water resources degradation. Accordingly the impact of decline in agricultural land and productivity on essential components of rural livelihood reliant on agricultural, such as employment, sources of income and food, during the past sixteen ears from 1999 - 2014, in central district, Bamyan province. The eva luation is based on results obtained by the analysis of primary data generated though a structured questionnaire by households{u2019} surveys in field. According to interviews, 15% of respondents mentioned more than 50% the land area of cereal, fruit and vegeta ble crops has been gradually declined, the decrease in agriculture productivity have been followed by 27, 11and 26 percent in cereal crops, fruit and vegetable. More than 70% of household respondents living in drought - affected areas received some help fro m NGOs (national and international). Key word: Impact of long term drought, agricultural productivity, rural livelihood, income, water, central district in Bamyan Afghanistan.

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development