BADC undertakes small-scale new irrigation programmes

FE Team | Published: June 24, 2011 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Md Mazadul Hoque
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has undertaken a number of new small-scale irrigation programmes in the country to reduce pressure on ground water as well as increase surface water use. 'If the undertaken programnes are successfully implemented, food production would be accelerated in programme areas as fallow land would be brought under small-scale irrigation programmes', a high official of BADC said. The official said a programme for reclamation of submerged land and increasing crops production in Narayangonj district at a cost of Tk 3.6 million has been under taken. The programmes includes building of embankment and culverts, and drains for irrigation. A programme of building embankment will be undertaken in Shakhipur and Basail upazilas of Tangail district at a cost of Tk 0.67 million where a 10-kilometre canal would be dredged, the official said. The official said a vast area of land would come under irrigation with the implementation of the programme resulting in huge crop production. The official said a programme named small-scale irrigation development has been undertaken in Comilla district at a cost of Tk 13.95 million. It includes cattle cross breeding and construction of 19 culverts and re-digging of canals in the area. A small-scale irrigation development programme of Nasirnagar, Kosba and Akhaura upazilas of Brahmanbaria district will include a number of schemes which would help boost crop production in the areas. The programme will cost Tk 22.45 million. The official said in the B'baria programme a 15-kilometre long canal would be dredged which would bring supply of water for crop production in vast areas. At a cost of Tk 0.67 million a programme has been undertaken in Pakundia upazila of Kishorgonj district where 20 deep tube-wells would be dug for bringing fallow land under irrigation, the official said. A programme for building one kilometre long embankment in Mohongonj and Khaliajuri upazilas of Netrokona district has been undertaken and the programme will cost Tk 0.5 million and already two per cent of total works have been completed, the official said. The official said a programme for reclamation of submerged land and increasing crop production in Sirajgonj district has been undertaken. The programmes includes building of 29 drains for irrigation at a cost of Tk 23.2 million. At a cost of Tk 4.68 million Char development programme of Jamalpur district had already been completed where 30,000 trees were planted and a four -kilometre long canal was dredged. The official said two more small-scale irrigation programmes at a cost of Tk 12.05 million have been undertaken in Langolkot and Chouddogram upazilas of Comilla district for bringing vast areas under irrigation to boost crop production. A good number of irrigation programmes will be undertaken by BADC just after successful completion of these programmes. If surface water is properly utilised there is a possibility of increasing crop production in the country, the official added.