Central Pivot Irrigation System begins in Ishwardi

Pabna Correspondent :

For the first time in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has undertaken an initiative to install the modern irrigation technology known as the Valley Irrigation Central Pivot System. This state-of-the-art project, being implemented with financial assistance from Austria, has been set up at the Muladuli Sugarcane Farm of North Bengal Sugar Mill in Ishwardi, Pabna.

According to BADC sources, the Central Pivot Irrigation technology widely used in advanced agricultural systems around the world is being introduced experimentally in Bangladesh for the first time.

Under this system, water is not lifted from underground in the traditional way; instead, it is distributed evenly over crops through sprinklers connected to a pipeline. As a result, large tracts of agricultural land can be irrigated using less time, fewer laborers, and significantly less water. Experts believe this technology could bring a revolutionary change to the country’s agricultural sector.

If the pilot project at the Muladuli Sugarcane Farm proves successful, agricultural specialists expect the technology to be expanded in both public and private farms in the future.

This would enable multiple crops to be cultivated on the same land, reduce cultivation time, and ensure substantial water savings, while also increasing the effective use of arable land. Two foreign experts-Mr. Jack from China and Mr. Khoa from Vietnam-are currently working on the project.

Anwarul Islam, In-charge of the Muladuli Sugarcane Farm, said the farm covers a total area of 1,101 acres, of which 940 acres are used for sugarcane cultivation. The remaining land includes low-lying areas, roads, residential colonies for workers and staff, ponds, and gardens. Using the Central Pivot technology, irrigation facilities can be provided to approximately 150 acres of land within a radius of about 350 meters.

He further noted that water management is a major challenge in modern agriculture. The Central Pivot system will make irrigation faster, more automated, and more cost-effective. If successful, the project will open a new horizon for large-scale agriculture in the country.

In the context of climate change and increasing water scarcity, such innovative initiatives will play a vital role in boosting agricultural production.

Farid Hossain Bhuiya, Managing Director (MD) of North Bengal Sugar Mill, said,
“Installing this modern irrigation system at our farm for the first time in the country is not only a major achievement for the mill, but also for agriculture across the entire region.

Through Central Pivot technology, we will be able to save time, labor, and water. Previously, irrigation used to take two days; now the same work can be completed within a few hours. This will create opportunities to produce multiple seasonal crops on the same land.”