BMDA provides irrigation of Boro fields in N- region

RANGPUR, Apr 20 (BSS): The Barind Multipurpose Development Authorities (BMDA) has been successfully providing the lowest- cost smooth irrigation to 0.2 million hectares of paddy fields in the northern region during this Boro season, officials said. Following successful irrigation being provided by the BMDA, an additional 1.05 million tonnes of Boro paddies worth over Tk 2,100 crore are expected to be produced during this season in the region if the prevailing favourable climatic condition continues. Using over 12,000 Deep Tube Wells (DTWs), the BMDA has been providing the irrigation facilities in all 16 northern districts where a record Boro rice production is expected this time, the officials said. Under the programme, the BMDA has also been providing irrigation to 57,350 hectares in 13 northern districts using its reinstalled 1,808 DTWs under the 5-year term Phase-1 of the Activating Inoperative Deep Tube Wells for Irrigation Project (AIDTIP). The ongoing Phase-1 of the AIDTIP at Tk over 2 billion will complete reinstallation of 2,569 DTWs in these 13 northern districts by 2013, Superintending Engineer (SE) of BMDA and AIDTIP Project Director Monwar Hossain told the news agency. Besides, another 5-year term Phase- 2 Tk 2.5 billion AIDTIP has been continuing for installation of 1,250 DTWs in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Bogra, Pabna, Natore and Sirajganj districts now, he added. After completion of these projects, the farmers will get low-cost irrigation for 80,000 hectares land to produce additional 0.42 million tonnes of Boro paddies worth about Tk 10 billion annually in these 13 districts except Rajshahi, C'Nawabganj and Naogaon. Successful completions of these two-phase projects will enhance agro- productions, ensure supply of arsenic-free pure drinking water and improve ecology, bio- diversity, environment and resist desertification in the region, he furthered. The BMDA irrigated 38,401 hectares last time in these 13 districts except Rajshahi, C'Nawabganj and Naogaon benefiting 70,000 farmers and realised Tk 65.9 million as irrigation charges producing 0.23 million tonnes of Boro paddy worth Tk 450 crore. Under its all ongoing projects, the BMDA realised over Tk 1.06 billion as irrigation service charges from the farmers after providing lowest cost irrigation to the Boro fields in all 16 northern districts during the last Boro season, the high official said. The farmers are now getting BMDA supplied irrigated waters at Tk 600 to 800 per bigha (33 decimals) when the private irrigation providers have been realising charges as per their wills in between Tk 1,500 and 3,000, farmers and officials said.