Experts for growing less-water consuming crops

RAJSHAHI, May 14 (BSS): More efficiency in irrigation has become an urgent need for boosting agricultural outputs through reducing the existing misuse of water alongside decreasing agriculture production cost.
The existing irrigation method has the problem of misusing water adding pressure on both ground and surface water posing a threat to ecology.
So, some major parameters like water distribution system, irrigation scheme management system, water marketing, source of water and energy, Alternate Wetting Drying (AWD) and types of pumps should be taken into consideration.
The views were expressed in a day-long farmers training by some irrigation experts who urged the attending farmers to acquire knowledge on how to improve irrigation efficiency.
'Enhancement of Irrigation Efficiency through Construction of Sub-Surface Irrigation Channel Project' of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) organised the training at its Badalgachhi zone office on Sunday.
The Tk 1.36 billion-project is being implemented in 25 upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabgonj districts in order to reduce the loss of irrigation water through construction of underground irrigation channel.
The scheme intends to expand irrigation area through crop diversification.
BMDA Chairman Dr Akram Hossain Chowdhury, Executive Engineer Abdul Maleque Chowdhury and Assistant Engineer Ashiqur Rahman conducted the training sessions as resource persons.
Akram Chowdhury said the agriculture sector has started witnessing the problem of irrigation water scarcity which is being adjudged as an obstacle to crop production.
The sector has also to face huge production cost due to various reasons pushing farmers into a difficult situation. So, there is no alternative to more promotion of underground canal for improving irrigation efficiency.
Role of agriculture sector is vital towards making the country's economy functional alongside ensuring food security. He called upon the field level officials and staffs to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty for the best uses of existing potentialities.
The farmers should be motivated towards cultivating less-water consuming crops to lessen the gradually mounting pressure on underground water.