Farming in the Barind region is getting a major lift as surface water use is helping turn a once dry and difficult area into a stronger agricultural zone. The change is being driven by the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, which has focused on canal digging, pond re-excavation, and better use of rainwater and river water to cut dependence on groundwater. Officials say this shift has already brought visible change to agriculture and the local economy. A recent project for small irrigation through pond re-excavation and surface water use has helped bring 715 unused ponds and 10 large water bodies back into service, giving farmers more reliable water for their fields. Local farmers say the new system has made cultivation easier and has improved the overall landscape. In the Chapainawabganj area alone, 1,639 pumps are now irrigating about 62,000 hectares of land, allowing many farmers to grow three crops a year instead of only one. That higher output is producing about 6.50 lakh metric tonnes of crops each year, with an estimated value of Tk 1,625 crore. Another 100 low-lift pumps on the Mahananda and Punarbhaba rivers are also helping irrigate around 4,000 hectares, while a smart card-based prepaid metering system has helped reduce water misuse. The development work has gone far beyond irrigation. Around 1.5 crore fruit, timber, and medicinal trees have been planted in the region, while 230 kilometres of canals and 1,091 ponds have been re-excavated to save rainwater and ease pressure on underground reserves. The authority has also provided safe drinking water to nearly 200,000 people through 234 water supply facilities. Better roads and buried pipelines have also improved transport and helped farmers bring their crops to market more easily. Looking ahead, two major project proposals worth Tk 1,426 crore have been sent forward to extend irrigation to another 18,000 hectares of drought-prone land. These plans include more canal and pond re-excavation, tree planting, and solar-powered irrigation systems. Experts say the Barind region still has much more surface water potential that can be used with careful planning. For farmers, this progress offers something very valuable: more water, more crops, and more confidence in the future.
