LALMONIRHAT, May 23, 2022 (BSS) - Experts at a farmers' training course today
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 mechanisation 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.

Senior Reporter of BSS 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 today.
 
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 tomorrow.
 
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.