‘AWD irrigation method saves water, increases rice output’

RANGPUR, Apr 24 (BSS): Agriculturists at a workshop have said use of alternate drying and wetting (AWD) irrigation method in Boro rice cultivation saves up to 30 per cent water and increases 15 per cent rice output.

They revealed the information at the regional 'Result Sharing Workshop' arranged under Northwest Focal Area Network Participatory AWD Technology Dissemination programme at RDRS Training Centre here yesterday, a press release said on Wednesday.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), RDRS Bangladesh and Northwest Focal Area Network with financial assistance of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) organised the workshop.

The Deputy Directors of DAE, Upazila Agriculture Officers, academics, researchers, NGO executives, irrigation pump owners and beneficiary farmers of four northern districts attended the event.

Dinajpur Regional Additional Director of DAE Agriculturist Md. Abdul Wazed attended the workshop as the chief guest with its Deputy Director for Rangpur Agriculturist Dr Sarwarul Haque in the chair.

Director (Field Operations) of RDRS Bangladesh Humayun Khaled said the organisation with GO-NGOs, research institutes, universities and farmers' organisations is expanding AWD irrigation technology since 2016-2017 seasons in six northern districts.

Senior Coordinator (Agriculture and Environment) of RDRS Bangladesh Agriculturist Mamunur Rashid said the organisation won the UN's 'The 2018 Climate and Clean Air Award' for successfully introducing climate friendly AWD irrigation method in rice cultivation saving huge water and cutting poverty for farmers.

"Some 882 farmers have cultivated Boro rice adopting AWD technology with RDRS Bangladesh assistance on 400 acres of land using 50 shallow tube wells in 11 upazilas of six northern districts this season," he added.