Province 31 of 34 | Northeast
Takhar تخار
Takhar has productive irrigated plains and rainfed hills, and its melons are renowned. Marketplaces in Dasht-e Qala, Rustaq and Ishkamish serve large rural populations far from Taloqan.
- Capital
- Taloqan
- Region
- Northeast
- Area
- 12,422 km²
- Population 2025–26
- 1,196,656
- Density
- 96 per km²
- Districts
- 17
Potential marketplace network Estimated
-
1Dasht-e Qala Market town
District: Dashti Qala
Producer marketplace and aggregation center
To nearest existing market: 46 km, 91 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 32,566
-
2Ishkamish Market town
District: Ishkamish
Producer marketplace and aggregation center
To nearest existing market: 41 km, 97 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 21,380
-
3Rustaq Market town
District: Rustaq
Producer marketplace and aggregation center
To nearest existing market: 49 km, 127 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 20,808
| # | Site | District | Likely role | Lat, Lon | To nearest existing market | Producer HH ≤60 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dasht-e Qala Market town | Dashti Qala | Producer marketplace and aggregation center | 37.1457, 69.4491 | 46 km 91 min | 32,566 |
| 2 | Ishkamish Market town | Ishkamish | Producer marketplace and aggregation center | 36.3853, 69.3152 | 41 km 97 min | 21,380 |
| 3 | Rustaq Market town | Rustaq | Producer marketplace and aggregation center | 37.1415, 69.7991 | 49 km 127 min | 20,808 |
Local products and producer groups Strong secondary
- Wheat
- Rice
- Melon & watermelon
- Flax & sesame
- Sheep & cattle
Farming system: Mixed farming (US$ 750 sales per participating household)
Producer groups: smallholder farmers, livestock and dairy keepers, women's household enterprises, small processors and traders
Crafts: Carpets, embroidery
Market catchment and accessibility Estimated
| Site | HH ≤30 min | HH 30–60 min | HH 60–90 min | Producer HH ≤60 min | Addressable | Underserved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dasht-e Qala | 14,273 | 23,001 | 46,669 | 32,566 | 23,473 | 92% |
| 2 Ishkamish | 10,439 | 13,622 | 31,957 | 21,380 | 15,856 | 89% |
| 3 Rustaq | 17,479 | 8,636 | 43,611 | 20,808 | 17,685 | 100% |
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 wheat, rice 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 wheat, rice 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$ 4.3 m | US$ 1.7 m | US$ 5.6 m | 184 | 294 |
| Base | 20% | US$ 8.6 m | US$ 3.4 m | US$ 11.1 m | 307 | 491 |
| High | 30% | US$ 12.8 m | US$ 5.1 m | US$ 16.7 m | 431 | 690 |
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 (69–70) | Method, assumptions and sources