Use of Supplementary Irrigation as an Alternative Approach to Food Self-Sufficiency in Bangladesh

Issues and prospects

Abstract

Bangladesh is entering a stage of massive expansion of itsirrigation program in order to meet the present food deficit. Emphasis is given togrowing Boro rice during the dry winter period with total irrigation. But Aus and Aman rice, which cover 89% of the total cropped area and produce 84% of the totalrice output, are still grown as rainfed crops. The high uncertainty of adequaterainfall during the Aus and Aman seasons has seriously affected their yields. With the use of supplementary irrigation, yields of these crops can be increasedby up to 70% depending upon the rainfall pattern. The average maximumsupplementary irrigation requirement is about 25% of the total crop waterrequirement and the cost of input labour is cheaper during these seasons, resulting in a better benefit-cost ratio in comparison to irrigating the Boro crop. Because of differences in strategy in irrigation during Aus and Aman seasons, astrong and effective farmers' organization is needed. The control, delivery andmanagement of supplementary irrigation by such a farmers' organization, ifestablished, will help in achieving better efficiency and utilization of the presentirrigation system and in reaching the government's desired target of food self sufficiency.