United News of Bangladesh

The Teesta Irrigation Project has emerged as a blessing for farmers across four northern districts, ensuring uninterrupted irrigation during the ongoing Boro season when many parts of the country are struggling with fuel and electricity disruptions. Farmers in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Dinajpur and Bogura say the project has brought relief by providing affordable and reliable irrigation water, boosting hopes of higher crop production this season. Officials say the project has also helped save nearly Tk 60 crore in diesel costs, reducing dependence on fuel-powered irrigation amid the ongoing energy constraints. According to the Water Development Board, Rangpur zone, about 10 lakh farmers are currently benefiting from the project, which has ensured uninterrupted irrigation across the region without major disruptions. “Farmers are getting water smoothly through the Teesta project, which has reduced irrigation costs significantly,” said Mizanur Rahman, Superintending Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board, Rangpur. He said the availability of water through the system is also helping improve soil fertility, further encouraging farmers to expand cultivation every year. Officials said around 88,000 hectares of land across 12 upazilas in four districts have come under irrigation coverage this Boro season. Under the system, 32,000 hectares in Nilphamari, 6,000 hectares in Dinajpur, 23,000 hectares in Bogura and 27,000 hectares in Rangpur district are being irrigated through canals fed by water from the Teesta River. Field visits show water from the river is being channelled through a network of canals, including a 10-kilometre canal from Sayrabari to Bakpur in Gangachara upazila, irrigating around 130 acres of farmland. Currently, around 8,000-9,000 cusecs of water are flowing in the river, compared to only 3,000 cusecs during the same period last year. Local farmers say the project has drastically reduced irrigation costs. Abdus Salam, a farmer from Gangachara’s Borobil union, said irrigating one acre of land now costs only Tk 1,200-1,500 under the project, compared to nearly Tk 10,000 using other sources. He also expressed hope for yields of 85-90 maunds per acre this season. Farmers say the silt carried by Teesta water helps improve soil fertility and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers. Shahjahan Ali, general secretary of a local water management group, said this natural process increases productivity, with yields rising by 3-4 maunds per bigha compared to other irrigation systems. However, farmers also pointed out several challenges, including delayed water supply before February, forcing them to depend on alternative sources for seedbed preparation. They also cited issues such as rodent damage in earthen canals and difficulties in supplying water to uneven land. In Nilphamari’s Kishoreganj upazila, canal renovation work has temporarily disrupted water supply in some areas, prompting locals to demand earlier and uninterrupted distribution from January. Despite the limitations, farmers and officials remain optimistic. They say if Teesta is properly dredged and canal flow is improved, agricultural output in the region could increase significantly. Authorities, however, noted that irrigation timing varies due to different crops such as rice, tobacco and maize. They also said ongoing canal maintenance has limited further expansion this season, but water supply is expected to continue for the next two months.

Farmers across five northern districts — Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Nilphamari — are facing mounting difficulties due to what they describe as an artificial crisis of non-urea fertilisers such as TSP, DAP and MOP. Many have been forced to pay extra or delay cultivation, raising fears of reduced crop yields. Although the Agriculture Department has dismissed the situation as artificial, farmers say fertilisers are simply unavailable through official dealers. They allege that retailers are selling fertilisers at inflated prices, taking advantage of the high seasonal demand. Officials insist that there is no genuine shortage, claiming that sufficient stock is available in the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) warehouses. They blame a section of unscrupulous dealers for creating an artificial crisis to earn higher profits. Farmers struggling to prepare land With the potato and maize planting season approaching, many farmers have been unable to prepare their fields in time. Abdar Hossain, a farmer from Karanpur village in Lalmonirhat, said, “When we go to dealers, they say fertiliser is out of stock. But retail shops have plenty—only they charge Tk 8–10 more per kilogramme.” Govt approves purchase of 65,000 MT of fertilizer Abu Taleb, a farmer from Baura in Patgram upazila, echoed similar concerns, “Land cannot be prepared without non-urea fertiliser. Fertiliser is needed most now, and demand will rise further in November. If we do not get it on time, we will suffer a big loss.” In Rangpur’s Gangachara, farmer Sujan Mia said they are unable to get fertiliser even after offering to pay extra. “We are at a loss as to how to cultivate maize in the pasture,” he said. Another farmer, Joynal Abedin of Kaunia, expressed frustration, saying, “Fertiliser is not available from dealers, but retailers sell it at a higher price. In which country do we live? Nothing seems to be in order.” BADC Lalmonirhat warehouse assistant director Ekramul Haque said fertilisers are being sold through 144 authorised dealers in the district at government-fixed prices. “The government sells TSP at Tk 25 per kg, DAP at Tk 19 and MOP at Tk 18 to dealers, who may add a Tk 2 profit per kg,” he explained. Haque maintained that the warehouse holds sufficient stocks as per government allocation, though he acknowledged that the allocation is around 25 percent lower than total demand. Similarly, the BADC additional director in Rangpur claimed there was no shortage in any district and blamed dishonest traders for creating panic in the market. “We are closely monitoring the market, and the problem will be resolved soon,” he added. Sirajul Islam, additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rangpur, agreed that the crisis was being fuelled by a few profiteering traders. “There is sufficient fertiliser stock in BADC warehouses. Some traders are creating an artificial shortage in the hope of higher profits. Mobile courts are being conducted against such unscrupulous traders,” he said. 416 bags of fertilizer unauthorised for sale seized in Lalmonirhat