Province 34 of 34 | South
Zabul زابل
Zabul runs along the Kabul to Kandahar highway with dried fruit and almond exports. Shahjoy and the eastern districts are under-served rural catchments.
- Capital
- Qalat
- Region
- South
- Area
- 17,019 km²
- Population 2025–26
- 419,352
- Density
- 25 per km²
- Districts
- 11
Potential marketplace network Estimated
-
1Shah Joi Market town
District: Shahjoy
Producer marketplace and aggregation center
To nearest existing market: 43 km, 58 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 21,465
-
2Daychopan District center
District: Daychopan
Producer marketplace and aggregation center
To nearest existing market: 52 km, 171 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 4,108
-
3Arghandab District center
District: Arghandab
Producer marketplace and aggregation center
To nearest existing market: 33 km, 138 min
Producer HH ≤60 min: 3,852
| # | Site | District | Likely role | Lat, Lon | To nearest existing market | Producer HH ≤60 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shah Joi Market town | Shahjoy | Producer marketplace and aggregation center | 32.5215, 67.4132 | 43 km 58 min | 21,465 |
| 2 | Daychopan District center | Daychopan | Producer marketplace and aggregation center | 32.6119, 66.7029 | 52 km 171 min | 4,108 |
| 3 | Arghandab District center | Arghandab | Producer marketplace and aggregation center | 32.5064, 66.9634 | 33 km 138 min | 3,852 |
Local products and producer groups Strong secondary
- Almond
- Grape & raisin
- Cumin
- Wheat
- Sheep & goats
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: 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 Shah Joi | 9,567 | 14,486 | 15,588 | 21,465 | 13,673 | 75% |
| 2 Daychopan | 1,677 | 3,215 | 4,088 | 4,108 | 3,045 | 100% |
| 3 Arghandab | 669 | 3,761 | 2,090 | 3,852 | 2,559 | 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: 1 of 3 sites on a main road; others on rural roads or tracks
All-weather access road, hard-standing and turning area for trucks
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 almond, grape & raisin with pallets and pest control
Cold storageEstimated
Current situation: Rare outside major cities
Not a first-phase priority; drying yards and ventilated stores instead
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 | 1 of 3 sites on a main road; others on rural roads or tracks | All-weather access road, hard-standing and turning area for trucks | 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 almond, grape & raisin with pallets and pest control | Estimated |
| Cold storage | Rare outside major cities | Not a first-phase priority; drying yards and ventilated stores instead | 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$ 2.2 m | US$ 589 k | US$ 2.8 m | 122 | 195 |
| Base | 20% | US$ 4.4 m | US$ 1.2 m | US$ 5.6 m | 185 | 296 |
| High | 30% | US$ 6.7 m | US$ 1.8 m | US$ 8.4 m | 247 | 395 |
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 (75–76) | Method, assumptions and sources