Adamdighi canal excavation brings smiles to Bogura farmers

Once, the farmers of Adamdighi upazila of Bogra faced severe water shortage in dry seasons and water-logging during monsoon. However, following the footstep of former President Shaheed Ziaur Rahman through canal excavation and renovation activities have now transformed the agricultural landscape of the territory. 

This initiative has brought smiles to farmers’ faces and gave new life to the crop fields. 

Carrying forward his father's dream, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken up a plan to re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals over the next five years under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. As part of this initiative, the first phase of work started simultaneously across 54 districts in the country.

Under this programme, the re-excavation of the canal stretching from Jineir Borkhari toward Dottobaria Shaoil village, covering Chhatian-gram, Nasratpur, and Adamdighi Sadar unions of Adamdighi upazila-began on May 10. The renovation work has also created employment opportunities for ultra-poor residents.

Work on the project, being implemented at a cost of nearly Tk 1 crore, is currently ongoing. Besides resolving long-standing water-logging, the initiative has improved irrigation facilities and rejuvenated the local environment.

Local farmers Belal and Rofiqul Islam said the canal had lost its effectiveness due to years of neglect.

‘The re-excavation has improved the irrigation system, which will lower farming costs and allow cultivation on previously fallow land. Increased water retention capacity will also help protect the ecological balance and reduce monsoon waterlogging,’ they added while welcoming the initiative.

Adamdighi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Masuma Begum said farmers were previously deprived of adequate irrigation water as the canals had silted up over time.

‘Re-excavating the canal has largely resolved that crisis. Irrigation water will now be easily accessible to surrounding fields. Earlier, lack of proper drainage during the monsoon caused heavy losses to farmers through water-logging. Now, the canal's water storage capacity has increased,’ she said.

The UNO added that tree plantation drives will be conducted along both banks of the canal to preserve environmental balance and enhance the area's beauty.

Bogura-3 (Adamdighi-Dupchanchia) MP Abdul Mohit Talukder said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took the 20,000-kilometre canal re-excavation plan to fulfill Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's dream of empowering the rural economy.

‘The first phase began simultaneously across 54 districts, including Bogura. This will eliminate waterlogging, increase irrigation facilities, and directly benefit farmers,’ the MP said, assuring that further development projects will be implemented in his constituency.

-SHKS/SA