Experts at a farmers' training course on Tuesday said ensuring the best use of surface water for irrigation has become crucial to attain sustainable agriculture and reduce pressure on underground water. They said the best uses of surface water alongside mechanization of agriculture would increase food production at low costs to attain food security under changed climatic conditions. They viewed this at the inaugural function of the two-day farmers' training course organized by the Lalmonirhat zone of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) at its office.
Fifty farmers and irrigation machine operators are participating in the course arranged under the 'Expansion of Irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater project (EIRP) of BMDA. The project is being implemented in 35 Upazilas of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha districts in greater Rangpur to promote agriculture making the best uses of surface water alongside improving the environment, ecology and biodiversity.
Project Director of the EIRP and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Engineer Habibur Rahman Khan attended the course as the chief guest with its Executive Engineer for Kurigram region Engineer AKM Mashiur Rahman in the chair. Engineer Md. Mamun Islam addressed the inaugural function as a resource person.
Assistant Engineer of the Lalmonirhat zone of BMDA Engineer Mizanur Rahman delivered a welcome speech narrating the goals and objectives of the course. Engineer Habibur Rahman Khan and Engineer AKM Mashiur Rahman of BMDA and Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Marufa Iftekhar Siddika conducted different sessions of the course on Tuesday. Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Lalmonirhat Sadar Md. Mahmudunnabi Mithu, Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Dr, Sazia Afrin, Senior Scientific Officer of Lalmonirhat Soil Resource Development Institute Md. Moshiur Rahman and Assistant Engineer of BMDA Engineer Mizanur Rahman will conduct different sessions.
Engineer Khan said re-excavation of canals and beels and ponds, installation of low lift pumps, solar power-run dug wells and construction of foot over bridges and cross dams and tree plantation are being implemented under the project.
"Re-excavation of water bodies is increasing water holding capacity, facilitating drainage and waterlogged lands becoming suitable for agriculture and stored water being used for irrigation, poultry and fish farming and household activities," he said.
Stored water in re-excavated water bodies is reloading groundwater tables alongside ensuring irrigation to croplands and freeing the vast areas of land from water-logging for agricultural activities and enhancing forest resources and improving the environment.
"Farmers will gain knowledge from the course on best uses of surface water, mechanization of agriculture and agronomic management to promote agriculture, pisciculture, poultry and animal husbandry to increase food production," he added.