Effat Sania Nancy, Khulna

With the aim of increasing the productivity and capacity of farmers' crops, fisheries and livestock farms by ensuring improved irrigation and drainage systems through re-excavation and renovation, the Padmabunia Canal re-excavation project was inaugurated in Shobna Union of Dumuria Upazila with the funding of the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the technical assistance of Solidarity Network Asia and Uttaran on Wednesday.

Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarkar (Additional Secretary) inaugurated the canal re-excavation project.

The event was presided over by Muhammad Al-Amin, UNO of Dumuria Upazila and Dr. Moderated by SM Ferdous, Project Manager of Khulna region, Agronomist Mustafa Nurul Islam Reza, presented a brief description of the goals and activities of the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Project.

The chief guest Md. Firoz Sarkar, said, “Agriculture in the Khulna region is very challenging. Due to salinity and heavy rainfall, the crop production in this region is hampered. A solution to this was necessary. In that case, the activities and plans of the IWRM project really deserve praise. On the one hand, it is providing training to farmers in practicing climate-tolerant agricultural management. On the other hand, it is ensuring high yields of their crops and fish through water management.”

He also said, “I hope that as a result of your project activities, several employment opportunities will be created in the area around the canal and a market system will be developed. Because there will be a need to transport the crops of the agricultural land adjacent to the canal and there will be a need to arrange for their sale near the canal.”

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Al-Amin said, "I applaud your initiative to re-excavate the canal through your project. The administration will provide all kinds of support in your activities. Because if the canals that have been dug up/excavated are re-excavated according to the government policy for canal excavation, it will be possible to resolve waterlogging through drainage. In addition, farmers' dependence on groundwater during the irrigation season will be reduced.

Not only vegetable, rice and fish farmers will benefit from this. Cattle farmers will also benefit a lot. Because it is convenient to graze chickens in water-filled canals and agricultural lands can be used as pasture after harvesting."

It is mentionable that Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Insad Ibne Amin, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Krishibid Upazila Youth Development Officer were present at the inauguration ceremony.

Among others, Uttoron Project Manager Krishibid Md. Iqbal Hossain, Shobna UP Chairman Suranjit Kumar Bala and Padmabunia Micro-Watershed General Secretary Kumaresh Bala also spoke. Also present at the event were Solidarity Program Officer Krishibid Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Subrata Roy, Communication Officer Arif Billah, Retired Teacher Uttoron Training Officer Krishibid Nabila Azhar, Dumuria Upazila Water Cluster Officer Shukla Mondal, Water Cluster Facilitator Kamrul Islam, Md. Ismail, Aparna and Palash Kumar Roy were present.