Officers of the BMDA expressed views at a daylong training workshop held at its head office conference hall on Thursday. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Nov 21, 2025 (BSS) – Officers of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) have been urged to address the agricultural and environmental challenges in the drought-prone Barind Tract.
 
Utmost emphasis should be given to improving the socio-economic condition of the local people by ensuring food security and sustainable development through effective water resource management and agricultural modernization.
 
The views were expressed at a daylong training workshop for BMDA officers held at its head office conference hall here on Thursday.
 
As part of the implementation of its Project for Capacity Building Acceleration Including Infrastructure Development, BMDA organized the workshop, where 30 officers from different regions and zones in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions attended.
 
BMDA Executive Director Tariqul Alam addressed the workshop as the chief guest, with Superintending Engineer Zinnurain Khan in the chair.
 
Additional Chief Engineer Dr. Abul Kashem, Superintending Engineers ATM Mahfuzur Rahman and Abdul Latif, and Reza Muhammad Nure Alam also spoke.
 
Senior Agriculture Engineer Shah Saidur Rahman, Consultant Riadat Hossain from Rajshahi Medical University, BMDA Executive Engineer Enamul Kadir, and Assistant Engineer Rezaul Karim conducted the training sessions as resource persons.
 
The participants were given insights on different issues, particularly the achievements of sustainable development goals, the use of modern machinery in agriculture, and the modernization of irrigation systems, so that they can contribute to these fields.
 
Talking to BSS on the issues concerned on Thursday afternoon, Tariqul Alam said the contributions of the BMDA have been multifaceted, leading to significant advancements in agricultural productivity, water resource management, and overall socio-economic development.
 
It has significantly contributed to socio-economic development in 135 upazilas under all 16 districts in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions through various initiatives, primarily focusing on agricultural development and water resource management.
 
The BMDA’s work has helped transform the region into a more productive agricultural area and improve the livelihoods of its people.
 
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the state-owned entity re-excavated 122 kilometers of canals and 56 ponds, alongside constructing 22 cross-dams and installing two river pontoons and 56 irrigation machines driven by solar power.
 
“We have also installed 450 deep tube wells, 1,305 kilometers of underground pipelines, and six foot-over bridges, besides producing 500 tonnes of seeds and imparting training to 550 farmers,” said BMDA Executive Director Tariqul Alam.
 
Since its inception in 1987, it has so far re-excavated 2,649 kilometers of canals and 4,313 ponds, constructed 800 cross-dams and 15,348 underground pipelines, rehabilitated 4,790 deep tube wells, produced 8,500 tonnes of seeds, and provided training to 1,58,302 farmers.
 
At present, BMDA has been providing irrigation to 6,28,567 hectares of land by operating 15,560 DTWs and 991 low-lift pumps, producing around 70.60 lakh metric tonnes of food crops annually.
 
BMDA has been instrumental in developing irrigation infrastructure, particularly through the installation of deep tube wells (DTWs) and the re-excavation of ponds and canals. This has enabled increased agricultural production by providing water for irrigation during dry periods.