17,000 hectares of uncultivated land to come under cultivation

A major initiative has been undertaken to expand irrigation in Sylhet’s agricultural sector where the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) aims to bring 17,000 hectares of land under irrigation in phases to boost agricultural production.

At the same time, an initiative is underway to convert 500 diesel-powered irrigation pumps in the division to solar power. Irrigation facilities have already been extended to 3,500 hectares of land during the last season.

Pranjit Kumar Deb, irrigation project director of the BADC Sylhet Division, said, “Approximately 300,000 hectares of land in the Sylhet division remain uncultivated during various seasons. The government has taken several initiatives to bring this land under cultivation, with a specific target of providing irrigation facilities to 17,000 hectares.”

He added, “Irrigation facilities have already been provided to 3,500 hectares, and the remaining land will be brought under irrigation in phases. Alongside canal excavation and the construction of irrigation infrastructure, the installation of solar pumps is also progressing.”

According to sources seeking anonymity, water management is a major challenge for agriculture in Sylhet. During the monsoon, haor (wetland) areas suffer damage from excessive water and runoff from the hills, while many lands remain uncultivated during the dry season due to a lack of irrigation water.

In this context, emphasis is being placed on conserving monsoon water, draining excess water and using the stored water during the dry season.