Photo : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, Sept 20, 2025 (BSS) - The re-excavation of 36.9-km of four extinct canals has made 15,000 hectares of waterlogged land in Pirgachha upazila of the Rangpur district cultivable, enabling 11,200 farmers to produce an additional 1,09,500 tonnes of paddy worth Taka 328.50 crore annually.
 
The blessed farmers of Kalyani, Parul, Etakumari and Sadar unions of the upazila in Rangpur are happy to be able to cultivate three crops on their land annually, including Aman paddy, Boro paddy, potatoes or other vegetables, after three to four decades.
 
Re-excavation of the 19.9-km portion of Alaikuri, 4.5-km of Khoranodi, 3.5-km of Ververi and 9-km of Jhinia Canals has conserved surface water creating an opportunity to provide supplementary irrigation to more 2,750 hectares of land in the upazila. 
 
Along with improving livelihoods of rural people, re-excavation of the canals and massive tree plantations on their banks have created sight-beholding greenery reviving the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity.
 
Successful implementation of the five-year (2019-2025) term 'Expansion of irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater (EIR) project at Taka 288.11 crore has brought about these positive changes.
 
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented the project to conserve and ensure best uses of surface water to expedite socioeconomic development in 35 upazilas of greater Rangpur district.
 
Talking to BSS, beneficiary farmers, villagers and local public representatives said re-excavation of the four extinct canals has created opportunities to use surface water for irrigation, forestation, rearing ducks and fish farming and household activities.
 
Farmers Nizam Uddin and Aminul Islam of village Monur Chhara in Pirgachha upazila said the re-excavated 19.9-km portion of the extinct river Alaikumari and 9-km of the Jhinia canals have freed 8,500 hectares of land from waterlogging. 
 
"I am cultivating Aman paddy now on my three acres of crop lands that became cultivable again for the first time in four decades," said Nizam Uddin.
 
Farmers Khorshed Alam, Sarwar Alam, Suruz Ali, Mossarraf Ali, Mainul Islam of different villages Phota in Pirgachha upazila said re-excavation of the 4.5-km of the extinct Khoranodi canal has freed 7,000 acres of land from waterlogging in the area.
 
"Like others, I have cultivated Aman paddy on my 10 acres of land. I will cultivate potatoes after harvesting Aman paddy and then Boro paddy on the same land this year," Khorshed Alam said.
 
Farmers Masud Mia and Chand Mia of village Madhuram in Pirgachha upazila said that re-excavation of the 9-km portion of Jhinia Canal has freed 3,000 hectares of land in Etakumari and Pirgachha Sadar unions from waterlogging after four decades.
 
"After four decades, I am now cultivating Aman paddy, Boro paddy and vegetables on my land for the first time. Like many others, my land was under water all year round for decades, resulting in no yield," said Masud Mia. 
 
Former Pirgachha upazila chairman Abu Naser Shah Md Mahbubar Rahman said re-excavation of the extinct canals has freed a vast land area from water-logging paving the way for farming Aman and Boro paddies to enhance crop intensity and output.
 
"Thousands of people have started reaping multifaceted benefits from the re-excavated water bodies by BMDA to facilitate drainage of rainwater and promote agriculture ensuring best uses of surface water," he said.
 
EIR Project Director and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Md Habibur Rahman Khan said thousands of people are enjoying multidimensional benefits and increasing crop production after implementation of the project.
 
"Re-excavation of extinct canals has increased water holding capacity, facilitated drainage along with reloading groundwater table and promoting agriculture by ensuring best uses of surface water reducing dependence on groundwater," he said.