BSS, Rangpur :
Large-scale adoption of the Alternate Drying and Wetting (AWD) irrigation method for Boro cultivation enhances rice output to ensure food security, improves environment and saves huge underground water.
According to the agriculture experts, lifting of underground water must be reduced as the future of agriculture depends on availability of irrigation water amid climate change that poses a real threat to keep food production rate increasing.
Horticulture Specialist of the Department of Agriculture Extension Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said farmers can reap huge benefits and cope with scarcity of irrigation water though adoption of the AWD technology during Boro rice cultivation.
He said adoption of AWD method reduces five number of irrigation, saving minimum thirty percent underground water, thirty litres diesel and huge electricity for irrigation in addition to producing 500 kg more Boro rice per hectare.
Noted rice scientist and Associate Director-Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr M A Mazid said the agriculture sector has been facing a severe threat from climate change to keep food production increasing for the growing population.
To cope with scarcity of irrigation water, he favoured for crop zoning to cultivate more irrigation water consuming crop in the country’s southern zone and less water consuming crop in the drought-prone northern zone.
“If the AWD technology were adopted for farming Boro in 47.8 lakh hectares this year in the country, some 24 lakh tonne additional paddy worth Taka 5,000 crore would be produced and Taka 700 crore be saved for less use of diesel and electricity,” he said.
Dr Mazid said the water saving rate from adoption of the AWD technology at national level may also vary because of different ecosystems representing physical conditions of the soil, its moisture retention capacity, humidity in air and atmospheric temperatures.
Consultant of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Bangladesh Dr MG Neogi said farmers generally consume 3,000 to 5,000 litres irrigated waters to produce one kg Boro rice, whereas it needs only 1,500 to 2,000 litres when AWD technology is used.
While elaborating the AWD method, he said the simplest technology determines irrigation times in Boro rice fields and it requires only a 7 to 10 cm diametre and 25 cm long PVC pipe or hollow bamboo pieces or even waste bottles of cold drinks.
He said 15 cm on one side of the pipe is perforated for horizontal movement of water and it is to be installed vertically with its perforated portion under the ground level and the soil within it is to be scooped out to make the soil at the pipe’s lower end visible.
The farmers should irrigate Boro fields in such a way that water does not overtop the imperforated portion and watch leaching down of water through the pipe and irrigate when soil at bottom of the pipe is visible with no water standing on soil hat, he said.
Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said farmers can largely be befitted using AWD technology for reduced irrigation frequencies, improved water use efficiency, less use of diesel, electricity and increased rice yield.
According to the experts, mass adoption of the AWD technology can largely help in maintaining ecology, environment and bio-diversity side by side reducing lifting of underground water for irrigation, electricity, fuel costs and increasing rice yield.
Besides, adoption of the AWD technology can keep reserve of underground water in remaining less affected and be filled in more during rainy seasons reducing its abnormal lowering, arsenic contamination to make the planet long lasting, they mentioned.
Large-scale adoption of the Alternate Drying and Wetting (AWD) irrigation method for Boro cultivation enhances rice output to ensure food security, improves environment and saves huge underground water.
According to the agriculture experts, lifting of underground water must be reduced as the future of agriculture depends on availability of irrigation water amid climate change that poses a real threat to keep food production rate increasing.
Horticulture Specialist of the Department of Agriculture Extension Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said farmers can reap huge benefits and cope with scarcity of irrigation water though adoption of the AWD technology during Boro rice cultivation.
He said adoption of AWD method reduces five number of irrigation, saving minimum thirty percent underground water, thirty litres diesel and huge electricity for irrigation in addition to producing 500 kg more Boro rice per hectare.
Noted rice scientist and Associate Director-Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr M A Mazid said the agriculture sector has been facing a severe threat from climate change to keep food production increasing for the growing population.
To cope with scarcity of irrigation water, he favoured for crop zoning to cultivate more irrigation water consuming crop in the country’s southern zone and less water consuming crop in the drought-prone northern zone.
“If the AWD technology were adopted for farming Boro in 47.8 lakh hectares this year in the country, some 24 lakh tonne additional paddy worth Taka 5,000 crore would be produced and Taka 700 crore be saved for less use of diesel and electricity,” he said.
Dr Mazid said the water saving rate from adoption of the AWD technology at national level may also vary because of different ecosystems representing physical conditions of the soil, its moisture retention capacity, humidity in air and atmospheric temperatures.
Consultant of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Bangladesh Dr MG Neogi said farmers generally consume 3,000 to 5,000 litres irrigated waters to produce one kg Boro rice, whereas it needs only 1,500 to 2,000 litres when AWD technology is used.
While elaborating the AWD method, he said the simplest technology determines irrigation times in Boro rice fields and it requires only a 7 to 10 cm diametre and 25 cm long PVC pipe or hollow bamboo pieces or even waste bottles of cold drinks.
He said 15 cm on one side of the pipe is perforated for horizontal movement of water and it is to be installed vertically with its perforated portion under the ground level and the soil within it is to be scooped out to make the soil at the pipe’s lower end visible.
The farmers should irrigate Boro fields in such a way that water does not overtop the imperforated portion and watch leaching down of water through the pipe and irrigate when soil at bottom of the pipe is visible with no water standing on soil hat, he said.
Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said farmers can largely be befitted using AWD technology for reduced irrigation frequencies, improved water use efficiency, less use of diesel, electricity and increased rice yield.
According to the experts, mass adoption of the AWD technology can largely help in maintaining ecology, environment and bio-diversity side by side reducing lifting of underground water for irrigation, electricity, fuel costs and increasing rice yield.
Besides, adoption of the AWD technology can keep reserve of underground water in remaining less affected and be filled in more during rainy seasons reducing its abnormal lowering, arsenic contamination to make the planet long lasting, they mentioned.
