Irrigation facilities to some 19,685 hectares planned

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The government has taken an initiative to extend irrigation facilities to some 19,685 hectares through modern technology for additional harvest of 49,213 tonnes of food grains after 2013. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the greater Dhaka district irrigation area development project (2nd phase) at a cost of Tk 9.9 million on October 12. Government will bear the project lost to be implemented by Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). The project also aims to create employment opportunities and alleviate poverty through imparting training to some 3,045 owners of irrigation machines, managers, drivers, field men, farmers and officials, said sources at the Planning Ministry. — UNB