Implementation of a surface water conservation scheme by the government is helping farmers to produce one lakh tonnes of additional Aman paddy worth Taka 258 crore this season in the greater Rangpur region.
Officials said Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) is implementing the five-year (2019-2025) term 'Expansion of irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater (EIR) project'.
Beneficiary farmers said re-excavation of extinct canals and rivers under the project has freed their lands from decades-long water-logging enabling them to cultivate Aman paddy for the first time in three to four decades.
Earlier, they could cultivate only Boro paddy annually in their lands as those remained water-logged due to a lack of drainage facilities for rainwater and floodwater for six months every year.
Farmer Sarwar Alam on his cropland at village Fota in Kawnia upazila of Rangpur said partial re-excavation of the extinct Khoranodi canal has freed 400 acres of land from water-logging in the area.
"Like others, I have cultivated Aman paddy for the first time in 40 years in my seven acres of land. I will cultivate potatoes after harvesting Aman paddy and then Boro paddy this year," he said.
Farmer Nizam Uddin of village Monurchhara in nearby Pirgachha upazila said re-excavation of the extinct Alaikumari and Jhinia canals under the EIR project has freed hundreds of acres of land from water-logging.
"I have cultivated Aman paddy on my three acres of land after four decades," Nizam said, adding that he will cultivate three crops annually from there onwards.
Farmer Mohammad Kaikobad of village Baro Bandanpara in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur said re-excavation of the extinct Chatra canal has freed some 3,200 acres of land area from water-logging to make 15,000 people of 12 villages happy.
Many farmers lifted conserved surface water from the re-excavated canal using low-lift pumps for supplementary irrigation and transplanted Aman paddy seedlings during recent drought-like situations.
"I have cultivated Aman paddy on my two acres of land freed from water-logging," he said, adding that he will cultivate potato after harvesting Aman paddy and then Boro paddy there.
Farmer Mashiur Rahman of village Sangkarpur in Badarganj upazila of Rangpur said re-excavation of the Mora Teesta canal has revived water flow in the canal improving drainage of rainwater and floodwater.
"The re-excavated canal recently carried out rainwater summarily to the river Jamuneswari freeing my nine acres of land from water-logging where I have cultivated Aman paddy," he said.
Farmer Abdul Halim of village Char Berubari in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram said re-excavation of the extinct Boalerdara canal has freed vast land area from water-logging paving a prospect to cultivate three crops, including Aman paddy, annually.
"I have cultivated Aman paddy in my two acres of land this time," he said, adding that re-excavation of the canal has enabled local people to enhance food production and improve socioeconomic conditions.
Chairman of the local Berubari union Abdul Motaleb said re-excavation of the extinct Boalerdara canal has freed 2,500 acres of land from water logging benefitting 20,000 people, including 1,300 farmers, of 25 villages.
"Local people are using the conserved water in the re-excavated canal for irrigation, supplementary irrigation and rearing ducks, farming fish and household activities," he added.
Pirgachha upazila chairman Abu Naser Shah Md. Mahbubar Rahman said re-excavation of several extinct canals has freed a vast land area from water-logging paving the way for farming Aman paddy to enhance crop intensity and food production.
"Re-excavation of extinct canals has effectively facilitated drainage of rainwater and floodwater to promote agriculture ensuring best uses of conserved surface water to benefit thousands of people," he said.
EIR Project Director and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Md Habibur Rahman Khan said people have started reaping multidimensional benefits from the project being implemented, spending Taka 288 crore.
Implementation of the inclusive project will conserve and ensure the best uses of surface water to promote agriculture and expedite socioeconomic progress in 35 upazilas of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha districts.
"We have already completed 55 per cent of project works by re-excavating 125-kilometre of extinct rivers and canals and freed 20,615 hectares of land from water logging benefiting 1,25,000 people, including 24,782 farmers," he said.
Utilising conserved surface water, farmers are likely to produce an additional 103,000 tonnes of Aman paddy worth Taka 258 crore and 61,845 tonnes of vegetables worth Taka 124 crore this season from 20,615 hectares of land freed from water-logging.
