Rajshahi: Farmers in the Rajshahi region are experiencing a significant transformation in their agricultural practices, thanks to the installation of a rubber dam that provides year-round irrigation water.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the rubber dam, installed by the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) in the Baranai River at Jagadishpur of Puthiya upazila, has revolutionized farming in the area. The dam, built around three years ago, has enabled farmers to cultivate about 15 types of crops and vegetables, including potato, brinjal, onion, and mustard, on approximately 5,000 hectares of land in Manda, Bagmara, Naldanga, and Puthiya upazilas.
Yeasin Ali, a 54-year-old farmer from Kachari Koaliapara under Bagmara Upazila, shared that before the installation of the rubber dam, the river remained dry for most of the year, severely impacting agricultural activities. Now, with the dam in place, the situation has improved significantly, allowing farmers like Ali, Aminul Haque, and Quddus to cultivate various Rabi crops along the riverbanks.
The construction of the 62-metre rubber dam, costing Tk 14.30 crore, has also provided a livelihood boost for local fishermen. Jewel, a 48-year-old fisherman, mentioned that due to heavy rainfall in the past, many ponds were washed away, but now, the rubber dam ensures a full river, facilitating fishing throughout the year.
The introduction of the dam has not only enhanced agricultural productivity but also created job opportunities for thousands of people. Shamsul Huda, Additional Chief Engineer of BMDA, highlighted that the dam has led to a rise in the underground water level and ensured water availability in tube wells during the dry season.
The BMDA Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Asaduzzaman, emphasized that the project has not only improved farmers’ livelihoods but also maintained environmental balance. He advocated for the expansion of such initiatives to bring more uncultivated lands under irrigation, thereby boosting production.
In addition to agriculture, the rubber dam has also positively impacted local biodiversity. Many domestic fish species have returned to the river, supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of people who rely on fishing.
Development activist Jahangir Alam Khan stressed the importance of promoting surface water irrigation over groundwater-based systems to address water scarcity in the region. He noted that BMDA has constructed approximately 1,080 kilometres of underground irrigation pipelines to reduce water loss by 40 percent in the Barind area.
The BMDA plans to increase surface water-based irrigation from the current ten percent to thirty percent by 2030. This move aims to alleviate the increasing pressure on underground water resources, with restrictions already in place on further deep-tube well installations in drought-prone areas.