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Govt plans major project to boost surface water use in Barind region: Agriculture Minister

Published : Thursday, 5 November, 2026 at 4:53 PM

Observer Correspondent

The government is undertaking a major project to expand the use of Padma River water for agricultural and irrigation development in the Barind region. Preparations for the project have already been completed, and Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid expressed hope that it would receive approval soon.

He made the remarks while inspecting various development activities of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi on Thursday morning (November 5).

The minister said agriculture must be strengthened to boost Bangladesh's economy. Ensuring fair prices for farmers' produce is essential in this regard, and the present government is working towards that goal.

He noted that groundwater had long been used for farming in the Barind region. However, there was no alternative to discouraging excessive groundwater extraction and increasing the use of surface water.

At the beginning of his visit, the minister inspected the water extraction and supply system at Hatpara in Godagari, where water is pumped from the Padma River using a floating platform. He later visited the Sarmangla Canal and exchanged views with farmers and BMDA officials. He also took part in a tree plantation programme along the canal.

The Agriculture Minister subsequently inspected solar-powered and electricity-operated irrigation pumps in the Kalipur-3 area. Officials briefed him on the net metering system, through which surplus solar power generated after meeting irrigation needs is supplied to the national grid.

Regarding the initiative to use Padma River water for agriculture, the minister said the government had prepared a proposal for a major project to expand the initiative. Preparations had already been completed, and approval was expected within the shortest possible time.

Once implemented, the project would increase the use of surface water in the Barind region, reducing pressure on groundwater. Moreover, sediment carried by river water would help improve soil fertility, he added.

Speaking about solar-powered irrigation, he said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had instructed the authorities to convert around 17,000 deep tube wells under the BMDA into solar-powered pumping systems.

This would create opportunities to expand the use of solar energy in agriculture. Supplying surplus electricity to the national grid after meeting irrigation requirements would also ensure efficient use of power, he added.

Earlier, BMDA Executive Director Mohammad Jahangir Alam Khan briefed the minister on the organisation's ongoing activities, development projects and future plans.

According to the information presented, the BMDA has 716 deep tube wells in Godagari upazila. It has also re-excavated 118 kilometres of canals and waterways and 462 ponds, besides constructing 41 kilometres of rural roads. A total of 76,345 farmers are benefiting from farmer training and various irrigation activities.

The Sarmangla Canal is approximately 29 kilometres long. Plans are underway to expand irrigation facilities to around 35,000 hectares of farmland through the canal. Two pumps have been installed to extract water from the Padma River.

Meanwhile, 45 solar panels have been installed under the Kalipur-3 solar irrigation project in Godagari. A 13-kilowatt solar-powered pump is providing irrigation to 264 bighas of farmland, benefiting 74 farmers. The net metering system has also created an opportunity to supply surplus electricity to the national grid after meeting irrigation requirements.

BMDA Additional Chief Engineer Dr Mohammad Abul Kasem, Superintending Engineers Mohammad Nazirul Islam, Mohammad Abdul Latif, Mohammad Shibir Ahmed and Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Executive Engineers Mohammad Atiqur Rahman and Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, Assistant Engineer Abdul Latif, and senior officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension, BADC and BMDA, along with local farmers and other concerned people, were present.

-SA/MT