Province 12 of 34 | West
Herat هرات
Herat has a diversified agri-economy, with saffron and raisins as export lines and Iranian and Turkmen border trade. Border-district marketplaces can serve both producers and cross-border traders.
- Capital
- Herat
- Region
- West
- Area
- 61,510 km²
- Population 2025–26
- 2,383,202
- Density
- 39 per km²
- Districts
- 16
Potential marketplace network Estimated
-
1Pastun Zarghun Market town
District: Pashtun Zarghun
Aggregation hub linking to wholesale buyers
To nearest existing market: 36 km, 55 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 47,490
-
2Toraghundi Market town
District: Koshk
Producer marketplace and aggregation center
To nearest existing market: 83 km, 113 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 15,182
-
3Zindah Jan Market town
District: Zanda Jan
Aggregation hub linking to wholesale buyers
To nearest existing market: 42 km, 51 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 63,497
| # | Site | District | Likely role | Lat, Lon | To nearest existing market | Producer HH ≤60 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pastun Zarghun Market town | Pashtun Zarghun | Aggregation hub linking to wholesale buyers | 34.2981, 62.6809 | 36 km 55 min | 47,490 |
| 2 | Toraghundi Market town | Koshk | Producer marketplace and aggregation center | 35.2434, 62.2841 | 83 km 113 min | 15,182 |
| 3 | Zindah Jan Market town | Zanda Jan | Aggregation hub linking to wholesale buyers | 34.3426, 61.7467 | 42 km 51 min | 63,497 |
Local products and producer groups Strong secondary
- Saffron
- Grape & raisin
- Wheat
- Pistachio
- Cumin
- Sheep & dairy
Farming system: High-value tree crops (US$ 1,150 sales per participating household)
Producer groups: smallholder farmers, livestock and dairy keepers, women's household enterprises, small processors and traders
Crafts: Silk (Zindajan), carpets, glass
Market catchment and accessibility Estimated
| Site | HH ≤30 min | HH 30–60 min | HH 60–90 min | Producer HH ≤60 min | Addressable | Underserved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pastun Zarghun | 12,189 | 54,608 | 121,208 | 47,490 | 15,755 | 26% |
| 2 Toraghundi | 19,245 | 1,930 | 1,093 | 15,182 | 14,146 | 93% |
| 3 Zindah Jan | 9,687 | 141,713 | 35,652 | 63,497 | 14,613 | 17% |
HH = households of 7.7 people (ALCS 2016–17). The primary indicator is producer households within 60 minutes by road.
Infrastructure requirements
Road accessEstimated
Current situation: All 3 sites on a main road
Hard-standing, parking and safe entry from the highway
ElectricityStrong secondary
Current situation: Grid reaches about 40% of Afghans nationally; rural sites mostly off-grid
Solar plus battery for lighting, weighing, phone charging and cold rooms; grid tie where a line passes
Solar potentialStrong secondary
Current situation: About 300 sunny days a year; high irradiance nationwide
Rooftop PV on market sheds (indicative 20 to 60 kWp per site)
Internet & mobileAssumption
Current situation: Mobile connections equal 52% of the population; district centers usually covered
Mobile money and price-information kiosk; verify signal on site
Dry storageEstimated
Current situation: Few formal stores outside provincial centers
Warehouse for saffron, grape & raisin with pallets and pest control
Cold storageEstimated
Current situation: Rare outside major cities
Solar cold room or evaporative store for fruit, vegetables and dairy
Water, sanitation & loadingAssumption
Current situation: Not assessed at site level
Borehole, washing area, separate latrines for women and men; loading bays, livestock pens, certified scales
| Infrastructure | Current situation | Requirement | Evidence status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road access | All 3 sites on a main road | Hard-standing, parking and safe entry from the highway | Estimated |
| Electricity | Grid reaches about 40% of Afghans nationally; rural sites mostly off-grid | Solar plus battery for lighting, weighing, phone charging and cold rooms; grid tie where a line passes | Strong secondary |
| Solar potential | About 300 sunny days a year; high irradiance nationwide | Rooftop PV on market sheds (indicative 20 to 60 kWp per site) | Strong secondary |
| Internet & mobile | Mobile connections equal 52% of the population; district centers usually covered | Mobile money and price-information kiosk; verify signal on site | Assumption |
| Dry storage | Few formal stores outside provincial centers | Warehouse for saffron, grape & raisin with pallets and pest control | Estimated |
| Cold storage | Rare outside major cities | Solar cold room or evaporative store for fruit, vegetables and dairy | Estimated |
| Water, sanitation & loading | Not assessed at site level | Borehole, washing area, separate latrines for women and men; loading bays, livestock pens, certified scales | Assumption |
Economic opportunity and employment Estimated Assumption
| Scenario | Participation | Producer sales | Other trading | Total turnover | Direct jobs | Indirect jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 10% | US$ 5.1 m | US$ 1.3 m | US$ 6.1 m | 196 | 314 |
| Base | 20% | US$ 10.2 m | US$ 2.6 m | US$ 12.2 m | 331 | 530 |
| High | 30% | US$ 15.4 m | US$ 4 m | US$ 18.3 m | 467 | 747 |
Site columns are summed. The total is de-duplicated where catchments overlap.
Evidence
Population: strong secondary province totals, estimated catchments. Travel time: estimated from the OpenStreetMap road model. Products: strong secondary. Turnover and jobs: assumption parameters applied to estimated households. Site conditions: unknown until field validation.
Open these pages in the PDF (31–32) | Method, assumptions and sources