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Daykundi Province

Coordinates: 33°45′N 66°15′E / 33.75°N 66.25°E / 33.75; 66.25
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For the Hazara tribe, see Daikundi (tribe).
Daykundi
دایکندی
Province
The town of Nili, the provincial center of Daykundi
The town of Nili, the provincial center of Daykundi
Map of Afghanistan with Daikundi highlighted
Map of Afghanistan with Daikundi highlighted
Coordinates: 33°45′N 66°15′E / 33.75°N 66.25°E / 33.75; 66.25
Country Afghanistan
Established2004
CapitalNili
Government
 • GovernorAminullah Zubair[1]
 • Deputy GovernorHaji Sahib Rashid [2]
Area
[3]
 • Total18,088 km2 (6,984 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[4]
 • Total525,529
Time zoneUTC+4:30 (Afghanistan Time)
Postal code
42XX
ISO 3166 codeAF-DAY
Main languagesPersian
(Dari and Hazaragi)
Websitedaikundi.gov.af

Daykundi (Dari: دایکندی), also spelled as Daikundi, Daikondi, or Daykondi, is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan, located in the central part of the country. It has a population of about 516,504 and is a Hazara dominated province.[5]

Daykundi Province was carved out of the northern part of Uruzgan Province in 2004, becoming a separate province. It falls into the traditionally ethnic Hazara region known as the Hazaristan in the highlands of central Afghanistan with the provincial capital, Nili. It is surrounded by Bamyan Province in the northeast, Ghazni Province in the southeast, Uruzgan Province in the south, Helmand Province in the southwest, and Ghor Province in the northwest.

History

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Daykundi was established on March 28, 2004, when it was created from the isolated Hazara-dominated northern districts of neighboring Uruzgan Province.

Development and security

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The province maintains its security through the Afghan police and military.[6]

A NATO soldier in Nili May 2011

While the Government of Afghanistan, NGOs, the United Nations, and NATO's ISAF forces have had little involvement in reconstruction in the province, there have been some initiatives. Following heavy rainfall and flooding in February 2007 the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) opened a sub-office in the province[7] and Oxfam, one of the few NGOs operating in the province, described UNAMA's input into coordinating flood relief as impressive.[7]

In November 2007 a World Food Programme convoy carrying mixed food aid was forced to abandon its mission due to security concerns and Afghanistan's Interior Ministry confirmed that Taliban insurgents had infiltrated the southern district of Kajran in a bid to destabilize the province. On 11 November 2007 Afghan forces launched a military operation to drive out the insurgents.[8]

The United States began building new government institutions in the province. The insurgency problem and shortage of food continued until 2012. Several government officials have warned in October 2012 that "If the government or NGOs (non-governmental organizations) do not address the situation with proper assistance, Daikundi would witness many deaths this winter."[9] In the meantime, a rebel leader along with his 150 fighters joined the government-initiated peace drive in Nili, capital of Daikundi province.[10]

Notable people

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Daykundi has a lot of famous writers, researchers, artists, athletes, authors, and story writers, for example:

Media

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There are four radio stations in Daykundi, such as Sadaye Nili, Nasim, Aftab, and Milli Radio.

Demographics

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Further information: Demography of Afghanistan
A boy in Nili shaking hands with an Australian soldier in 2012

As of 2020, the total population of Daykundi province is estimated to be around 516,504, which is mostly a rural tribal society. The ethnic Hazaras make up the majority of the total population of the province, who speak the Dari and Hazaragi, eastern varieties of Persian.[5]

Geographic

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The province of DaiKundi is located in central Afghanistan. The province is bordered on the south by Uruzgan, on the east by Ghazni and Bamiyan, on the north and west by Ghor, and the southeast by Helmand. Until March 2004, Dai Kundi was part of Uruzgan province. The Helmand River separates nearly 90 percent of the steep landscape.[11]

Livelihood

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Daykundi is a mountainous province that is green and dominated by trees, bushes, wild food plants and agricultural land.[12]

Most people have their small orchards producing almonds and fruits which they sell them to the market later on. Also, they take care of their animals very carefully and seriously as Livestock is one of the important sources of income and food for them; some of them have goats and sheep while few have their own cattle.[13]

The labor opportunities are very few in the Daykundi province as most of the households go to other provinces in Afghanistan to look for seasonal work. 70% of the household income are coming from family members who are working outside Daykundi; this is one of the main livelihood options for the people of Daykundi.[14]

Agriculture in Daykundi

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The dry weather of Daykundi and its uncertainty of precipitation make farmers concerned about their farm products. They are mostly relying on irrigated land, as they are afraid they do not lose their time, capital, and their labors.[12]

As Daykundi does not have enough rainfall, there is a low capacity for wheat, orchard crops, beans, and vegetable production in cultivation; this makes the household members not have enough required food.[12]

Daykundi people have less access to markets as there is a long distance from rural areas to local markets, poor road networks, snowstorms in the winter, and insecurity. However, people still sell their fruits and nuts to the traders at the farm gates, which get transported to the provincial center and regional markets.[12]

Since the water for irrigation has decreased in Daykundi province, farmers are very concerned about their food production and pasture; even, this has affected farmland leasing. The farmers are not interested to contract lease lands as their crop production is lower and strongly relies on precipitation. Therefore, farmland leasing has decreased in Daykundi province.[12]

The dry weather of Daykundi has not only affected farm production but also has negatively impacted livestock. The fodders and pastures are not enough and sufficient for the animals and they get common diseases like Tuberculosis, PPR (Peste Des Petits Ruminants), Sheep pox, foot and mouth diseases, etc.[12] Even the dairy preservation is very poor in which milk and dairy are not sold in the market, except Kurut.[12]

The only season that dairy products are consumed is during the spring season between April and June. The rest of the year, people in Daykundi do not have access to better nutrition status and try to import dairy products, like yogurt, from other provinces.[12]

Taking care of fruit trees is the most important agricultural part of Daykundi. The most common fruits are almonds, mulberry, and walnuts. The districts of Shahristan, Miramor, and Ishtarlari are the main and major producers of these fruits.[12]

Also, fruit tree plantations, which are mostly apples and almonds, have been increased and supported by NHLP, National Horticulture and Livestock Project.[12]

Market and Agriculture

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The Market of Daykundi is pretty functional throughout the year but it has its struggles over the winter season as communications become difficult.[15]

As a result of the above situation, the market and traders in the district centers make enough food stocks at their household level to ensure that there are enough stocks during the winter season.[13]

Almond Festival Celebration in DayKundi

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The first Gole Badam Festival was celebrated in Daykundi Province 14 years ago. In 2010, the Hazara People International Network recommended that this Festival be held to commemorate the blossoming of the almond tree.[16]

Almonds are the province's principal agricultural commodity, and many households rely on them for livelihood. While the rest of Afghanistan is known for its opium production, Hazaristan, particularly Daykundi, has opted to focus on almond agriculture.[16]

The city's Almond Festival, an annual event hosted by the province government, drew nearly 4,000 people from all across Dai Kundi to celebrate on a yearly basis.[16]

Almond cultivation is a major contributor to the Dai Kundi economy, and the almond festival brings together farmers, citizens, and government officials to enjoy and pray for a plentiful harvest. Almonds are the only significant commodity produced in Daykundi that is exported outside of Afghanistan.[16]

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Daykundi produces over 5,500 tons of almonds every year, accounting for around 11% of Afghanistan's total almond production. Zabul, Ghazni, Samangan, and Balkh are other important almond-growing regions.[16]

Districts

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Districts of Day Kundi Province.
Old districts of Daykundi.

Daikundi province has 9 districts: Nili, Sangi Takht, Khadir, Gizab, Ishtarlay, Miramor, Shahristan, Kajran, and Kiti.[17]

Ethnolinguistic groups of Afghanistan
Men of Daykundi province in 2009
Districts of Daykundi Province
District Capital Population[18] Area
in km2 		Pop.
density 		Number of villages and ethnic groups
Ishtarlay 61,174 1,607 38 343 villages. Hazaras[19]
Kijran 37,062 882 42 Balochs, Hazaras[20]
Khedir 53,434 1,744 31 294 villages. Hazaras[19]
Kitti 56,436 1,004 56 196 villages. Hazaras[19]
Miramor 86,024 2,208 39 326 villages. Hazaras[19]
Nili Nili 42,832 591 72 165 villages. Hazaras[19]
Sangi Takht 59,043 1,711 35 Hazaras[19]
Shahristan 80,740 1,916 42 290 villages. Hazaras[19]
Gizab District Gizab 75,503 1,945 39 Hazaras and Pashtuns
Daykundi 552,248 18,088 30 Predominantly Hazaras

Economy

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Further information: Economy of Afghanistan
Hazara women in Daykundi weaving handwoven carpets in the cold winter weather

Agriculture is the main industry of the province. It is well known for its high-quality almonds, which are distributed throughout Afghanistan.

Climate in DayKundi

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Daikundi is the most vulnerable province to Climate Change in Afghanistan. The province experiences acute water shortages and droughts have poor soil quality, and risks of avalanches, landslides, and flooding, which cause extensive damage to agricultural land, infrastructure, and food security.[21]

The impacts of climate change in Daikundi are manifold, mostly due to the limited institutional capacity to plan and respond to these impacts.[21]

With support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) are cooperating on pilot field demonstrations in Daikundi province that aim to build environment adaptive and resilience of vulnerable villages to climate change impacts.[22]

The above-mentioned organization also aims to build the capacity of local institutions to address climate change risk within the peri-urban extent of the rapidly developing Nili Town.[21]

Women Cycling Event

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On Thursday, July 12, 2018, a bicycle competition was organized in the provincial stadium in Daikundi province, in the center of Afghanistan, between two teams of girls and boys.[18]

The bicycle competition was held to promote peace and harmony throughout the country.[18]

There were ten females and ten boys on each of the two teams, and medals, clothing, and other items were given to the winners.[18]

It is important to mention that the purpose of the event was to promote peace and support girls’ role in sports, said Mohammad Husain Sirat, the provincial director of information and culture.[18]

Death Rate

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The crude death rate was 0.42 (0.25-0.68) (95 percent CI) and the under-five death rate was 0.66 (0.29-1.51) respectively (95 percent CI). Both rates are below the SPHERE emergency levels.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Over 800 Hazara Families Ordered Out Of Their Homes By Taliban". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  2. ^ "د نږدې شلو ولایاتو لپاره نوي والیان او امنیې قوماندانان وټاکل شول". November 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "Statoids". Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  4. ^ "Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2021-22" (PDF). National Statistic and Information Authority (NSIA). April 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21" (PDF). Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, National Statistics and Information Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Daykundi province reaches out for unity across Afghanistan | ISAF - International Security Assistance Force". Isaf.nato.int. Archived from the original on 2012-04-29. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  7. ^ a b "UN Office For The Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs : UNAMA Facing New Humanitarian Challenges". Irinnews.org. 2007-05-28. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  8. ^ John Pike (2007-11-14). "UN-OCHA Integrated Regional Information Networks : Insecurity Stops Food Aid to a Day Kundi District". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  9. ^ Hadi Ghafari (2012-10-28). "Winter food crisis looms over Daikundi". Afghanistan Analysts Network. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  10. ^ Hadi Ghafari (2012-10-30). "150 rebels in Daikundi give up insurgency". Pajhwok Afghan News. Archived from the original on 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  11. ^ Program for Culture and Conflict Studies. (Mar 2017). Dai Kundi Province. Naval Postgraduate School. Retrieved from’https://nps.edu/web/ccs/dai-kund
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Food Security Cluster (n.d.). Daykundi Province Fact Findings (Qualitative Assessment) Report. Afghanistan Food Security Cluster. Retrieved fromhttps://fscluster.org/sites/default/files/documents/daykundi_facts_finding_assesment_reportfsac_inputs.pdf
  13. ^ a b c Food Security Cluster (n.d.). Daykundi Province Fact Findings (Qualitative Assessment) Report. Afghanistan Food Security Cluster. Retrieved from https://fscluster.org/sites/default/files/documents/daykundi_facts_finding_assesment_reportfsac_inputs.pdf
  14. ^ Country Research (Aug, 2005). RRT Research Response. Country Research of the Refugee Review Tribuna (RRT). Retrieved from https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4b6fe1150.pdf
  15. ^ Food Security Cluster (n.d.). Daykundi Province Fact Findings (Qualitative Assessment) Report. Afghanistan Food Security Cluster. Retrieved from https://fscluster.org/sites/default/files/documents/daykundi_facts_finding_assesment_reportfsac_inputs.pd
  16. ^ a b c d e Admin. (April 1, 2013). Gole Badam Festival in DayKundi Province, the heart of Hazaristan. KabulPress.org. Retrieved from https://www.kabulpress.org/article151673.html
  17. ^ "Afghanistan District Maps". arcgis.com. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d e TOLO News. (July 21, 2018). Daikundi Grils Attend Cycling Race for Peace. ToloNews. Retrieved from: https://tolonews.com/sport/daikundi-girls-attend-cycling-race-peace
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "DaiKundi Province". Government of Afghanistan and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  20. ^ https://www.avapress.com/fa/news/187832 هشدار محقق از خطر نابودی بلوچ‌های شیعه در دایکندی توسط طالبان و با چراغ سبز حکومت, 2019
  21. ^ a b c Scanlon, A. (n.d.). Daikundi: Building Adaptive Capacity and Resilience to Climate Change. UNEP. Retrieved from https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/22974/Factsheet_DKD_english.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  22. ^ Scanlon, A. (n.d.). Daikundi: Building Adaptive Capacity and Resilience to Climate Change. UNEP. Retrieved from https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/22974/Factsheet_DKD_english.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
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