Electricity supply will be ensured from 12:00 pm to 06:00 am for uninterrupted irrigation during the current Aman season. Besides, if new electricity connection is required for irrigation, the Rural Electrification Board will ensure it within 24 hours.
Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam made the disclosure after the virtual meeting on ‘Ensuring the necessary irrigation during the dry season’ at the secretariat on Tuesday.
The Agriculture Secretary said, “This time the target of cultivation in Aman is 59 lakh hectares, of which 47 lakh hectares have already been planted. Which is 70 percent of the target and satisfactory. About
98 percent of the target has been achieved especially in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.”
“It was discussed at the meeting to achieve 100 percent target within this month and to ensure irrigation for at least 30 days after planting. We are also working side-by-side with farmers to ensure food security.”
According to the meeting, to facilitate irrigation, the Water Development Board launched their large irrigation projects, others will be launched soon. Upazila Irrigation Committee will hold a quick meeting and decide on the irrigation requirement and irrigation arrangements will be made accordingly.
The Ministry of Agriculture is considering providing cash assistance to farmers towards additional expenditure for additional irrigation in growing Aman crop. Those who could not produce rice seedlings due to lack of rain, will be provided free seedlings from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Representatives of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Water Resources, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Water Development Board, Bangladesh Power Development Board, Additional Secretary (Fertilizer Management and Materials) Balai Krishna Hazra, Additional Secretary (Extension) Rabindrashi Barua, BADC Chairman, Director General of Department of Agriculture Extension, Director General of Rice Research Institute and field level officers were virtually connected during the meeting.
