Chairman of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) Begum Akhter Jahan has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the agriculture sector to a newer height.
“She made Bangladesh a food surplus country alongside taking more steps to further enhance food production and ensure the welfare of farmers,” said the former Awami League lawmaker at an orientation meeting held at Begum Rokeya auditorium of RDRS Bangladesh on Monday evening as the chief guest.
Rangpur Circle of BMDA organized the event to inform the progress of activities being implemented under the “Expansion of Irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater project (EIRP)”.
Md Habibur Rahman Khan, project director of EIRP and superintending engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Engineer, chaired the event.
Executive Director of BMDA Engineer Md Abdur Rashid, dean of the Faculty of Arts of Begum Rokeya University, and Prof Dr Tuhin Wadud, director of Riverine People Bangladesh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) AWM Raihan Shah and Senior Journalist Engineer Md Mamun Islam addressed the event as special guests.
Engineer Khan narrated the progress of EIRP project activities in 35 upazilas of greater Rangpur to promote agriculture making the best use of surface water alongside improving the environment, ecology and biodiversity.
Re-excavation of almost dried rivers, 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, reloading groundwater table, making waterlogged lands suitable for agriculture while stored water being used for irrigation, poultry and fish farming and household activities," Khan added.
Engineer Rashid said EIRP project is being implemented to ensure the best use of surface water and reduce pressure on underground water, revive biodiversity and ecosystems to improve the environment and ensure food security amid adverse impacts of climate change.
Other guests suggested the continuation of monitoring of EIRP project activities by BMDA to give the completed works a sustainable shape even after the completion of the five-year term project by 2024 next.
Expressing satisfaction over EIRP project activities, the chief guest said BMDA will expand its activities in the Rangpur region aiming at enhancing the preservation of surface water to ensure its best uses and recharging underground water tables.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to further develop the agriculture sector as the country is advancing forward under her leadership to build a developed Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she added.
