BMDA implements diversified socio-economic uplift projects

RAJSHAHI, Feb 8 (BSS): The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has been implementing different need-based uplift projects to improve the socio- economic condition by increasing crop production side by side protecting the environment almost everywhere in the country's northwest region.
"Successful implementation of these projects is boosting crop production together with creating jobs for the unemployed people and also supplementing the government's efforts to ensure an environment- friendly weather in the region," said Engineer Ahsan Zakir, Executive Director of BMDA while talking to BSS.
He stated that the implementation of some good projects came out with desired crop production and its intensity alongside safe-drinking water, forestry and concrete roads in the dried Barind region. The BMDA already executed 27 big projects under its command areas covering various districts of the region particularly 25 upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj from 1985-86 to 2011-12.
Now, seven other projects are being implemented throughout the country's 16 northwest districts in addition to the 25 upazilas.
The ongoing projects are: Activating inoperative deep tube-well for irrigation, deep tube well installation, command area development and training, command area extension and development, marketing agricultural product through development of rural communication, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and Joypurhat Integrated Agricultural Development and Barind rainwater conservation and irrigation. "We are now providing irrigation to around 0.55 million hectares of crop lands including 0.28 million hectare of Irri-boro lands through operating more that 13,000 deep tube wells," said Engineer Hossain.