-By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, Nov 28, 2024 (BSS) - Re-excavation of the dying Noleya Canal has freed 6,800 hectares of land in Pirganj upazila from waterlogging enabling 3,700 farmers to produce 54,000 tonnes of additional Aman paddy worth Taka 190 crore annually after four decades.
 
The canal's re-excavated 19.26-km portion has facilitated drainage of rainwater and floodwater and freed vast land area from water-logging paving a prospect to cultivate three crops, including Aman paddy, annually, benefiting thousands of people.
 
Earlier, farmers of Shanerhat, Panchgachhi and Mithipur unions of the upazila couldn't cultivate paddy in their water-logged lands throughout the year due to lack of drainage facilities of rainwater and floodwater from six beels.
 
Talking to BSS, local farmers said that the re-excavation of the canal has made their waterlogged land suitable for cultivation again after four decades for growing Aman rice and other crops, which has brought blessings in changing their fortunes.
 
All these have become possible following implementation of an inclusive project to conserve and ensure best uses of surface water to promote agriculture and expedite socioeconomic progress in 35 upazilas of five greater Rangpur districts.
 
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' at Taka 288.11 crore.
 
Farmer Rezaul Islam of village Paharpur in Shanerhat union said re-excavation of the Noleya Canal has improved drainage of water from Banakura, Malibari and Bheki Beels and freed over 4,000 acres of farmland from water-logging in that area alone.
 
"I have been cultivating Aman paddy in my one acre of land since last year after four decades. I will cultivate potatoes after harvesting Aman paddy soon and then Boro paddy," he said.
 
Farmer Mahabul Islam and his wife Rumpa Begum of nearby village Damodarpur said farmlands in the whole area remained water-logged for six to nine months every year and farmers couldn't cultivate any paddy in the last 40 years.
 
Sometimes, farmers cultivated Boro paddy. But, monsoon rains and water from the Foliar Beel, Shimuliar Beel and Ghughurir Beel caused floods submerging Boro paddy fields before becoming ready for harvest and damaging the crop.
 
Rumpa said re-excavation of the extinct Noleya Canal has revived water flow in the canal. The canal is now carrying out rainwater swiftly to the river Ghaghot freeing lands from water-logging.
 
"Many farmers also 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," she said.
 
"After re-excavation of the Noleya Canal, I have cultivated Aman paddy in my 16 decimals of land for the second time this year," Mahabul said.
 
Farmer Mehedul Islam of Shahapur village in nearby Panchgachhi union said he has cultivated Aman paddy on his one acre of land in Banakura Beel area for the second time this year.
 
"Like my parents and other farmers of the whole area, I couldn't cultivate either Aman paddy or Boro paddy in my land in the last four decades," Mehedul said.
 
Chairman of Shanerhat union Mesbahur Rahman said re-excavation of the extinct Noleya Canal has freed some 6,800 hectares of land from water-logging in three unions of Pirganj upazila benefitting 15,000 people, including 3,750 farmers, of 30 villages.
 
"Local people are using the conserved water in the re-excavated canal for irrigation, supplementary irrigation to promote agriculture and rearing ducks, farming fish and household activities," he added.
 
EIR Project Director and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Engineer Md Habibur Rahman Khan said people have started reaping multidimensional benefits from the project being implemented, spending Taka 288.11-crore.
 
"Following re-excavation of the extinct Noleya Canal alone, about 3,750 farmers of three unions in Pirganj upazila alone are expected to produce more than 54,400 metric tonnes of Aman paddy worth Taka 190-crore this season," he hoped.