AWD irrigation technology benefiting farmers in northern region
RANGPUR, April 27 (BSS) -Alternate Drying and Wetting (AWD) irrigation technology starts benefiting common farmers in farming Boro paddy by saving 30 percent irrigation water and reducing production costs, agri-experts and scientists said.
Mass adoption of the technology would benefit the nation in saving over Taka 6,000 crore annually while farming Boro on 4.85 million hectares only for reduced irrigation costs, additional paddy productions, less use of water, diesel and electricity.
The technology has been becoming popular and thousands of farmers have adopted the easiest technology during this Boro season in northern region, they said adding that further motivational activities could accelerate the pace of mass adoption of AWD.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), other agri- departments, Cereal System Initiative for South Asia (CSISA), Barind Multipurpose Development Authorities (BMDA), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and NGOs are disseminating the technology among the farmers.
Liaison Scientist of IRRI for Bangladesh Dr M A Hamid Miah said the technology can reduce five number irrigation compared to the farmers' general practice, reduce 30 litres diesel consumption for irrigation and produce 500 kg more paddy per hectare.
Rice scientist and Dinajpur Hub Manger of CSISA Dr MA Mazid said adoption of the technology helps improving ecology, environment, bio- diversity and retarding desertification as 30 percent less water being lifted for irrigation saving its underground reserve.
"We have alone provided the technology among 537 farmers in seven northern districts under Dinajpur Hub of CSISA during this Boro season bringing 81 hectares Boro fields under AWD irrigation saving huge irrigation waters and farming costs," he added.
He said that the farmers generally consume 3,000 to 5,000 litres irrigated waters to produce a kilogram paddy under different topographical locations, when the paddy plants hardly need 1,500 to 2,000 litres for the same if AWD technology used.
"The technology determines optimum irrigation times in Boro fields and it requires a 25 cm long PVC pipe or hollow bamboo pieces or even waste bottles of cold drinks like coco cola etc to be dug systematically inside the soil," he said.
"The technology allows lifting 30 percent less underground waters annually for irrigation purposes to increase its reserves and get an uncountable benefit amid the formidable threats of climate changes," Additional Director of DAE Mohsin Ali said.
"Sixty farmers under the leadership of Noren Master have got the benefit by adopting the technology in irrigating 60 bigha Boro fields with CSISA assistances alone in Sindur Kandi Block under Baliadangi upazila in Thakurgaon district this time," Dr Mazid said. StumbleUpon Digg Reddit