Photo : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, Sept 15, 2025 (BSS) - Re-excavation of 40.02-km portion of two extinct canals has freed 9,700 hectares of land in two upazilas from waterlogging helping 14,000 farmers to produce 70,840 tonnes of additional paddy worth Taka 212 crore annually.
 
The re-excavated 14.36-km portion of Shalmara Canal and 25.66-km portion of Noleya Canal in Mithapukur and Pirganj upazilas here have facilitated drainage of rainwater and floodwater and freed vast land area from water-logging.
 
Re-excavation of these two extinct canals have become a blessing for 14,000 farmers of 92 villages under eight unions of these two upazilas enabling them to cultivate three crops, including Aman and Boro paddies and vegetables, annually. 
 
Earlier, farmers of Pairaband, Kafrikhal, Bhangni, Baro Hazratpur, Shanerhat, Shanerhat, Panchgachhi and Mithipur unions couldn't cultivate Aman paddy on their water-logged lands for lack of drainage facilities of water from nearby Beels.
 
Talking to BSS, local farmers said that re-excavation of these canals has made their waterlogged land suitable for cultivation again after four decades. 
 
They are now growing Aman paddy, Boro paddy and other crops, which have brought blessings in changing their fortunes, improving livelihoods and socioeconomic conditions. 
 
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) has implemented 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 Shah Jalal, 70, of village Bahadurpur in Pairaband union of Mithapukur upazila said re-excavation of the 14.36-km of Shalmara Canal has improved drainage of water from nearby Beels and freed 1,700 hectares of land of 42 villages from water-logging.

"I have been cultivating Aman paddy in my four acres of land since last year 
after four decades. I will cultivate potatoes after harvesting Aman paddy and 
then Boro paddy on the same land," he said.

Last year, he harvested 250 mounds (every 40 kg is a mound) of Aman paddy 
and 280 mounds of Boro paddy in addition to huge quantities of potatoes for 
the first time after four decades following re-excavation of Noleya Canal.

Sharecropper Azizar Rahman, 58, of nearby Shalmara Latibpur village said 
that he has been cultivating Aman paddy, Boro paddy and then potatoes on four 
acres of land since last year. 
 

"I harvested 54 mounds of Aman paddy and 76 mounds of Boro paddy per acre 
last year in addition to potatoes last year," he said, adding that 
previously, no crops were grown on the land because it was underwater all 
year round.
 
Farmer Rezaul Islam of village Paharpur in Shanerhat union of Pirganj upazila 
said re-excavation of the Noleya Canal has improved drainage of water from 
three Beels and freed 8,000 acres of land from water-logging in the area.

"I have been cultivating Aman paddy in my one acre of land since 2023 after 
four decades flowing re-excavation of the extinct Noleya Canal. I will 
cultivate potatoes after harvesting Aman paddy soon and then Boro paddy," he 
said.

 Farmer Mehedul Islam of Shahapur village in nearby Panchgachhi union of 
Pirganj upazila said he has cultivated Aman paddy on his one acre of land in 
Banakura Beel area for the third 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 8,000 hectares of land from water-logging in six 
unions of Pirganj upazila benefitting 10,000 farmers, of 50 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 Taka 288.11-crore project. 
 
"As a result of the re-excavation of two extinct canals, 14,000 farmers from 
eight unions in Mithapukur and Pirganj upazilas are able to produce 70,840 
tonnes of additional paddy on 9,700 hectares of waterlogged land, worth an 
annual value of Taka 212 crore," he said. 
 
"Re-excavation of the two extinct canals has freed 9,700 hectares of land 
from waterlogging helping 14,000 farmers of eight unions in Mithapukur and 
Pirganj upazilas to produce 70,840 tonnes additional paddies worth Taka 212-
crore annually," he said.