Bangladesh Country Investment Plan - Feed the Future

B. Priority Interventions
6 Priorities
from
Consultation
Process
(Brief
description
of activities)
The emerging priorities that arose from various consultations are the need to
increase surface water irrigation and reduce ground water depletion, enhancing onfarm
water use efficiency through capacity development of water users, and
rehabilitation of infrastructures.
The prioritization of activities linked to each of the interventions is as follows:
Improve Water management in water distribution systems and at farm level
Improve water distribution system of minor irrigation buried pipe and concrete
canal (T). Survey and monitoring of availability of irrigation water in Bangladesh
(H). Improve cost effectiveness of irrigation and irrigation efficiency (M).
This should include capacity strengthening at both the grass roots and system-wide
levels in order to, reduce irrigation costs by developing more efficient water saving
technologies and promoting a more cost effective distribution system.
8 Main national
implementation
institutions
9 Main
international
DPs
10 Main
implementation
challenges
Improve & increase efficiency of surface water irrigation, in particular
in the South
Nationwide conservation and utilization of surface water by
excavation/dredging/reclamation of canals, bills, river/water bodies etc. (T).
Surface water management in the South and flood plains, Haors, hills and Char
lands (T). Supplementary irrigation for T. Aman and Aus rice to promote water
saving rice cultivation technology for less dependence on irrigated Boro (T).
Improvement of drainage condition in the rainy season for the arable lands (H).
Capacity development of water users, providing training and support for protection
of river erosion (H). Flood control measures (H). Establish effective drainage to
bringing vast area fit for timely planting of Boro rice in the South ( H). Support
uninterrupted electricity for irrigation (L).
Reduce impact of saline water intrusion in the South and enhance
river water flow
Dredging of Garai river to increase water in the South (T). Rehabilitation of polders
and their management (T). Protection of vast are a of Rupsha-Terokhada Beel,
Dakatia- Dumuria Beel against saline water intrusion (T). Surface water irrigation
in the south with improved brackish water management practices (H).
C. Implementation Features
The national implementation institutes are BADC, BCIC, SCA, DAE, DLS,
DOF, BMDA and Private sector.
Collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Water
Resource is essential, with DAE, BWDB, LGED and BMDA as the
participating institutes. Involvement of farmer organizations and stakeholders
from the private sector on farm level water management will also be key
Major DPs like IDA, ADB, IFAD, IDB and JICA are funding projects in this
sub-programme. A significant contribution is being channelled to the country
by ADB, IFAD, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN).
The latter is also chairing the LCG on Water Resource Management. The
support, beyond investment projects in water management, includes also as
support to the contributions of the private sector for infrastructural
development (dredging).
There are many current challenges to water management in Bangladesh,
including declining aquifer levels, arsenic contamination, silting and increased
salinity in coastal areas, climate change causing drainage congestion due to
rise in sea level and river bed rise.
Note: The activities prioritized as Top (T), high (H) medium (M) and low (L).
Updated Bangladesh Country Investment Plan: A Road Map Towards investing in Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
2 June 2011
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