Experts say wider use of Alternate Drying and Wetting (AWD) irrigation for Boro rice could save water, cut costs and add about Tk 55 billion to the economy each year, a claim that has sparked fresh interest among farmers and researchers. AWD is a simple method to time irrigation: a short perforated pipe or hollow bamboo is set vertically in the field so the soil inside the pipe can be seen, and farmers wait to irrigate until the water level falls and the soil at the bottom becomes visible. Rice experts including Dr M A Hamid Miah and Dr M A Mazid say the technique reduces the number of irrigations by about five compared with common practice, saves roughly 30 percent of irrigation water, cuts about 30 litres of diesel use per hectare, and can raise paddy output by about 500 kilograms per hectare. If farmers used AWD on about 4.78 million hectares of Boro land, the country could gain the estimated Tk 55 billion a year from lower irrigation costs, higher yields and preserved groundwater. The approach also lowers the total water needed per kilogram of paddy from as much as three to five thousand litres down toward fifteen hundred to two thousand litres in many places, which would help slow the deep drop in groundwater and protect fragile ecosystems. The tools are low cost and easy to make: a ten centimetre diameter, twenty five centimetre long PVC pipe or a cut bottle can work if the bottom is cleared so soil is visible inside. Scientists and extension staff say teaching farmers how to read the pipe, when to hold back water and when to refill will be a key step in spreading the practice. Local trials, farmer training and stronger links with research institutes could help scale up adoption, while careful monitoring will keep results steady across different soils and weather conditions. The method is practical for smallholders and larger farms, and it can reduce fuel and power use on pumps while creating steady gains in production. Policymakers, seed and equipment suppliers, and rural groups can support the shift by offering simple tools, demonstration plots and short courses for field workers. For farmers, the benefits are direct: lower fuel bills, fewer pump runs, steadier water for plants and more grain at harvest. For communities, the gains include saved groundwater, better ecosystem health and a stronger food supply. By promoting AWD with clear guidance and hands-on help, the country can make farming more resilient and efficient while protecting water and improving incomes in rice areas across the country. Adoption will need local leadership, steady funding for outreach, and regular measurement so small changes lead to lasting benefits and support.
