The government has decided to re-excavate 725 ponds in 43 upazilas of five districts in a bid to harvest rainwater and facilitate irrigation of farmlands.

The Agriculture Ministry has taken up a Tk 1.28 billion plan to dig up these ponds to be used to irrigate farmlands on small scale and cultivate fish in five districts, said Agriculture Ministry sources.

The proposed plan has already been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The project, proposed by the Barind Multi-purpose Development Authority (BMDA) to harvest rainwater, will be entirely funded by the government under the 7th Five Year Plan, said planning ministry sources.

The project would be implemented in 43 upazilas of the northern districts of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Noagaon, Bogura and Natore by June of 2023, they said.

The aim of the project is to expand irrigation facilities to 3,058 hectares of farmland to boost agricultural and fish production by 18, 348 metric tonnes.

According to the sources, 725 ponds would be re-excavated, 85 solar power-run low-lift pumps would be installed and 80 groundwater irrigation drains would be built under the project.

A total of 85 pre-paid meters would be purchased for the project while 5 million trees would be planted along the re-excavated ponds, they added.  

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque told Bangla Tribune that the project will help to increase availability of surface water in the project areas which would be used in irrigation works to boost agricultural production in the districts.

The initiative to plant 5 million trees along the ponds will act as an additional source of income for the local residents, the minister added.