Boro cultivation under threat due to irrigation crisis

Farmers in Shibalaya upazila are grappling with a severe irrigation crisis as several Chars (sandy lands) along the Jamuna River have emerged, posing a significant threat to the ongoing iri-boro cultivation.

If not addressed before the onset of the full iri-boro season, the current difficulty could potentially disrupt the boro plantation and lead to a food shortage. Farmers in the Jamuna Char area have voiced this concern.

Numerous farmers in the Char area have articulated their demand for water supply to the irrigation project through the construction of a canal in the Char lands. These farmers have appealed to the Manikganj District Commissioner, Upazila Executive Officer, and Agriculture Department to address their concerns and meet their water supply requirements.

A visible consequence of the diminishing river water can be observed near the Kashadah irrigation project's water house on the banks of the Jamuna River in the Aricha Khalpar area of Shibalaya Upazila. A substantial Char has emerged in the river, approximately 1 km from the irrigation project's water house. The river has shifted away, leaving only barren shelves devoid of water. In light of this situation, local farmers assert that without the construction of the canal, it would be impossible to cultivate boro this year using river water from the irrigation project.

Since 1980, around 2,000 farmers from 14/15 villages in Shibalaya upazila have been practicing low-cost boro cultivation for 43 years, utilizing pumps installed on the Jamuna River bank through the traditional Aricha Kashadah irrigation project. The iron-free river water contributes to maintaining soil fertility, while the irrigation costs are significantly reduced. The irrigation project was officially incorporated in 2004 under the Shibalaya Small Water Management Co-operative Society Limited, aimed at preventing water wastage and developing infrastructure. Despite the government's efforts, costing approximately Tk 20 crore, to re-excavate the canal and construct a paved drain and water house, the water source has now been disrupted due to the emergence of a Char in the river.

Farmers associated with the irrigation project emphasize the potential for a severe food crisis if boro cultivation cannot proceed due to insufficient irrigation. Abul Kalam, a farmer from Small Anulia village, highlights the difficulty in irrigation this year and underscores the need for water extraction mechanisms to address the situation.

Makched Ali, a farmer from Bara Anulia village, reflects on the 40-year tradition of cultivating iri-boro using river water directly. He warns that without the canal construction in front of the water house, irrigation will be impossible, leading to the closure of boro cultivation and a looming food shortage in the region.

The President of the Kashadah Irrigation Project, Moshiur Rahman Awal, explains that the emergence of a Char in the Jamuna River, resulting from upstream dredging by BIWTA, has caused the main river to shift away from the pump house area. Without the canal construction, irrigation becomes unfeasible, and the area faces not only a potential food shortage but also an extreme shortage of cattle feed.

Razia Tarafdar, the Shibalaya upazila Agriculture Officer, assures that discussions are underway with the upazila administration and parishads to find a resolution to the irrigation problem. Expressing optimism, Tarafdar anticipates a prompt resolution to alleviate the concerns of the affected farmers.