BMDA launches new initiatives, including a hotline and expanded irrigation services boost agricultural production. Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, March 9, 2025 (BSS)- The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), the largest provider of irrigation services in the 16 districts of the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, has initiated a range of development programmes to expand irrigation facilities to boost agricultural production in the northwest region.

One of the key measures introduced is a dedicated hotline to address farmer concerns and streamline the delivery of irrigation services. Farmers can now report irrigation-related issues by calling the hotline number 01336-426330. To ensure quick resolutions, six district-based committees, consisting of relevant officials, have been formed to address complaints promptly.

These efforts were highlighted at the BMDA's annual general meeting held at its headquarters in Rajshahi on Saturday, where it was announced that the government organization is supplying irrigation to a wide variety of crops, including paddy, wheat, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits such as mangoes, guavas, jujubes, and malta.

During the ongoing Rabi season, BMDA is providing irrigation to around 10.36 lakh hectares of farmland, benefiting over 10.62 lakh farmers. A total of 15,828 deep tube wells have been installed to support irrigation, and significant infrastructure has been developed, including 15,895 kilometers of irrigation distribution networks, 650 dug wells, and 576 low-lift pumps powered by electricity and 450 solar-powered low-lift pumps.

With BMDA Chairman Dr Muhammad Asaduzzaman in the chair, Executive Director Shafiqul Islam, Additional Chief Engineers Shamsul Huda, Abul Kashem and Jahangir Alam Khan, Superintending Engineers Abdul Latif, Iqbal Hossain, Mahfuzur Rahman, Zinnurain Khan, Shahidur Rahman, Shibbir Ahmed and Shamsher Ali attended the meeting, among others.

BMDA Chairman Asaduzzaman shared several achievements during the meeting, including the reclamation of 13,057 hectares of waterlogged land, the re-excavation of 4,257 kilometers of derelict canals, and the construction of 778 cross-dams.

 Additionally, 13 pontoons have been installed in rivers to further enhance the irrigation system.

He said the BMDA has also installed 572 solar-powered dug-wells in wetlands of Raktadaha Beel and Tepa Beel in Naogaon and Chhatragachha Beel in Rajshahi.

Overhead tanks were constructed adjacent to the irrigation deep tube-wells to supply drinking water to 1,592 households living in the remote areas, said Asaduzzaman.

In an effort to mitigate environmental challenges, around 2.58 crore trees have been planted to reduce carbon emissions in the drought-prone Barind region, said Asaduzzaman, adding that the BMDA has also provided training to approximately 1.49 lakh farmers, equipping them with the skills needed to boost agricultural productivity.

Asaduzzaman expressed optimism about the integration of mobile apps to manage irrigation deep tube wells more efficiently. He also emphasized the potential of surface water irrigation, especially in the Barind area, where numerous natural water bodies remain underutilized.

Promotion of surface water in irrigation to the farming fields is considered as the best way of mitigating the gradually mounting pressure on underground water in the drought-prone area, he added.
 
He said additional 12.35 lakh tonnes of crops are being produced every year as a result of expansion of irrigation services and introduction of infrastructural developments in the region.