Mass adoption of AWD irrigation technology emphasised
Saturday, 14 January 2012
RANGPUR, Jan 13 (BSS): Agriculture scientist and experts have stressed mass adoption of Alternate Drying and Wetting (AWD) technology in Boro farming to produce more rice at reduced costs using 30 per cent less irrigation waters.
They said the technology reduces five number irrigations compared to farmers' general practice and 30 litres diesel consumption for irrigation and produce 500 kg more paddy per hectare.
They said this while talking to the news agency on the ways for increasing Boro rice production at reduced costs amid climate change impacts and also saving the degrading environment, ecology and bio-diversity.
Renowned rice scientist and Dinajpur Hub Manager of Cereal System Initiatives for South Asia in Bangladesh (CSISA-B) Dr MA Mazid said adoption of the technology in farming Boro could bring benefit of Tk 60 billion to the nation annually.
"If the AWD was adopted for farming Boro in 4.8 million hectares this season, the profit could be achieved through an additional production of 2.4 million tonnes paddy and over Tk 7 billion be saved for less use of diesel and electricity," he said.
Consultant of IRRI-Bangladesh Dr MG Neogi said over 30 per cent less underground waters would be lifted using AWD technology for irrigation saving its reserve, reducing its abnormal lowering and improving ecology as well as environment and bio- diversity.
Noted agriculturist and Advisor of RDRS Bangladesh Dr Syed Shamsuzzaman said the farmers generally consume 3,000 to 5,000 litres irrigated waters to produce one kilogram paddy, whereas the paddy plants hardly need 1,500 to 2,000 litres using AWD for the same.
Dr Mazid said AWD is a simple technology of determining irrigation times in Boro fields. It requires only a 10 cm dia and 25 cm long PVC pipe or hollow bamboo pieces or even waste bottles of soft drinks.
Fifteen cm on one side of the pipe is perforated and it is to be installed vertically with its perforated portion under the ground level when the soil within the pipe is to be scooped out so that soil at the lower end of the pipe is visible.
The farmers should irrigate fields in such a way that water does not overtop the imperforated portions and watch leaching down of water through the pipes and irrigate when the soil at the bottom will be visible with no water standing on the soil hat, he said.
The scientists suggested coordinated efforts of all for availing full advantages including food security through additional paddy productions and uncountable benefits by saving huge underground waters using the AWD irrigation technology countrywide.
They said the technology reduces five number irrigations compared to farmers' general practice and 30 litres diesel consumption for irrigation and produce 500 kg more paddy per hectare.
They said this while talking to the news agency on the ways for increasing Boro rice production at reduced costs amid climate change impacts and also saving the degrading environment, ecology and bio-diversity.
Renowned rice scientist and Dinajpur Hub Manager of Cereal System Initiatives for South Asia in Bangladesh (CSISA-B) Dr MA Mazid said adoption of the technology in farming Boro could bring benefit of Tk 60 billion to the nation annually.
"If the AWD was adopted for farming Boro in 4.8 million hectares this season, the profit could be achieved through an additional production of 2.4 million tonnes paddy and over Tk 7 billion be saved for less use of diesel and electricity," he said.
Consultant of IRRI-Bangladesh Dr MG Neogi said over 30 per cent less underground waters would be lifted using AWD technology for irrigation saving its reserve, reducing its abnormal lowering and improving ecology as well as environment and bio- diversity.
Noted agriculturist and Advisor of RDRS Bangladesh Dr Syed Shamsuzzaman said the farmers generally consume 3,000 to 5,000 litres irrigated waters to produce one kilogram paddy, whereas the paddy plants hardly need 1,500 to 2,000 litres using AWD for the same.
Dr Mazid said AWD is a simple technology of determining irrigation times in Boro fields. It requires only a 10 cm dia and 25 cm long PVC pipe or hollow bamboo pieces or even waste bottles of soft drinks.
Fifteen cm on one side of the pipe is perforated and it is to be installed vertically with its perforated portion under the ground level when the soil within the pipe is to be scooped out so that soil at the lower end of the pipe is visible.
The farmers should irrigate fields in such a way that water does not overtop the imperforated portions and watch leaching down of water through the pipes and irrigate when the soil at the bottom will be visible with no water standing on the soil hat, he said.
The scientists suggested coordinated efforts of all for availing full advantages including food security through additional paddy productions and uncountable benefits by saving huge underground waters using the AWD irrigation technology countrywide.