PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SELECTED SURFACE WATER IRRIGATION SCHEMES OF BADC PRONAJIT KUMAR DEB THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECNOLOGY DHAKA SEPTEMBER, 2011
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PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SELECTED
SURFACE WATER IRRIGATION SCHEMES OF BADC
PRONAJIT KUMAR DEB
THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECNOLOGY
DHAKA
SEPTEMBER, 2011
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SELECTED
SURFACE WATER IRRIGATION SCHEMES OF BADC
Submitted by
PRONAJIT KUMAR DEB
Roll No. 040516020 (F)
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for
The Degree of Master of Engineering in Water Resources Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECNOLOGY
DHAKA
September, 2011
II
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I wish to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Md. Sabbir Mostafa Khan,
Professor, Department of Water Resources Engineering, BUET for his supervision,
encouragement and valuable guidance throughout the study. It was a great pleasure for the
author to work with him, whose constant guidance helped to conclude the work successfully.
Special heartfelt gratitude is expressed to the member of the Board of Examiners, Dr. M.
Mirjahan, Professor, Department of Water Resources Engineering, BUET and Dr. A. F. M.
Saleh, Professor, Institute of Water and Flood Management, BUET for their valuable
comments, constructive suggestions and criticisms regarding the study.
Grateful acknowledgements are expressed to the authority of Bangladesh Agricultural
Development Corporation (BADC) for providing necessary data.
The author is also grateful to Engr. Md. Musthafizur Rahman, Project Director, Innovative
Use of Surface Water Project, BADC, Comilla, Engr. Md. Abdul Gofur, Superintending
and Engr. Md. Shoukat Ali Akhand, Assistant Engineer, BADC, Dhaka for their continuous
support, encouragement and co-operation at various stages of doing this project work.
III
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT I
ACKNOWLEDGMENT II
TABLE OF CONTENTS III-IV
LIST OF TABLES V
LIST OF FIGURES VI
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS VII
CHAPTER – 1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 General 1
1.2 Importance of the Study 4
1.3 Participatory Water Management Approach 7
1.4 Objectives 10
CHAPTER – 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 11
2.1 Irrigation System in Bangladesh 11
2.2 Previous Studies on the Performance of Different Irrigation
Schemes/Projects in Bangladesh
12
CHAPTER – 3 PROJECT SUMMERY
3.1 Innovative Use of Surface Water Project (IUSWP) (1st phase) 19
3.3.1 General 19
3.3.2 Background of the IUSWP 19
3.3.3 Objectives of the IUSWP 20
3.3.4 Location 21
3.3.5 Topography and General Feature of the Project Area 21
3.3.5.1 North Eastern Region 21
3.3.5.2 The Eastern Hill Region 22
3.3.5.3 Climate and Hydrology 22
3.3.5.4 Agriculture 22
3.3.5.5 Irrigation Practices 22
3.3.5.6 Cropping Intensity 23
3.3.6 Operation and Maintenance 23
3.3.7 Annual Service/Irrigation Charge 23
3.3.8 Institutional Interventions 23
3.3.9 Excavation or Re-excavation of Khals / Nalas/ Hilly Chharas 24
IV
3.3.10 Irrigation Structure 24
3.3.11 Training of Beneficiaries 24
3.3.12 Irrigation Method 24
3.3.13 Participatory Water Management Practice 25
CHAPTER – 4 METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION 27
4.1 Introduction 27
4.2 Performance Evaluation and Indicators 28
4.2.1 Irrigated Area Indicator 28
4.2.2 Crop Production Indicator 28
4.2.3 Farmers’ Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) 29
4.2.4 Irrigation Charge Indicator 30
4.2.5 Beneficiary Indicator 30
4.2.6 Irrigation Profitability Indicator 31
4.3 Scheme Selection 31
4.4 Preparation of Questionnaire 33
4.5 Data Collection 33
4.6 Problems Faced during Data Collection 34
CHARTER - 5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 36
5.1 General 36
5.2 Performance of the selected LLPs schemes 36
5.2.1 Irrigated Area 36
5.2.2 Crop Production 38
5.2.3. Farmers’ Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) 40
5.2.4. Irrigation Charge Indicator 42
5.2.5. Beneficiary Indicator 43
5.2.6. Irrigation Profitability Indicator 44
5.3 Results of the Questionnaire Survey 46
5.4 Sustainability of 5 cusec LLP schemes of BADC 47
CHARTER - 6 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 49
6.1 Conclusions 49
6.2 Recommendations 51
REFERENCES 52-54
APPENDIX-A 55-57
APPENDIX –B 58-68
V
V
LIST OF TABLES
Table
No.
Description Page
No.
4.1 Important feature of the selected 5 cusec LLP schemes 32
5.1 Irrigated Area for the 5 cusec LLP schemes of different year 37
5.2 Crop Production for the 5 Cusec LLP schemes of different year 39
5.3 Farmers’ Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) for the 5 cusec LLP schemes of
different year
41
5.4 Irrigation Profitability (IP) Indicator for the 5 cusec LLP schemes of
different year
45
5.5 Summary of significant factors from questionnaire survey 46-47
6.1 Performance of selected schemes during 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 49
VI
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
No.
Description Page
No.
1.1 Organogram of the water management organization of the IUSWP of BADC 8
1.2 Organogram of water management organization for project up to 1000 ha
(GPWM 2000) of BWDB
9
1.3 Institutional framework for O&M of small scale projects of LGED 9
4.1 Flowing of Pumping Water on the constructed Irrigation Channel of the Joykalash-Ozanigao-Fatepur Irrigation Scheme of South Sunamgonj Upazilla under Sunamgonj District
35
4.2 Interview of Pump Driver of the Tukergao Irrigation Scheme of Sadar Upazilla under Sylhet District.
35
5.1 Irrigated Area Indicator for the 5 cusec LLP schemes of different year 38
5.2 Crop Production indicator for the 5 cusec LLP schemes of different year 40
5.3 Irrigation Charge (IC) Indicator for the 5 cusec LLP schemes of different year 42
5.4 Beneficiary Indicator for the 5 cusec LLP schemes of different year 44
VII
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ADP Annual Development Programme
BUET Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
BADC Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation
BWDB Bangladesh Water Development Board
DAE Department of Agricultural Extension
DLIP Double Lifting Irrigation Project
DTW Deep Tube Well
FCDI Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation
FSL Full Supply Level
GPWM Guidelines for Participatory Water Management
GDP Gross Domestic Product
HYV High Yielding Variety
LGED Local Government Engineering Department
LLP Low Lift Pump
IUSWP Innovative Use of Surface Water Project
MDIP Meghna Dhonagoda Irrigation Project
Mha Million Hectares
MOA Ministry of Agriculture
MOP Manually Operated Pump
MPO Master Plan Organization
MT Metric Ton
NWMP National Water Management Plan
NNIP Narayanganj Norshingdi Irrigation Project
O&M Operation and Maintenance
PWM Participatory Water Management
PRSP Poverty Reeducation Strategic Papers
RWS Relative Water Supply
STW Shallow Tube Well
UIC Upazilla Irrigation Committee
WARPO Water Resources Planning Organization
WMG Water Management Group
WMO Water Management Organization
WIC Working Irrigation Committee
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the research work described in this project, except where specific
references to other investigators are made, is the result of the investigation of the candidate.
Neither this project nor any part thereof has been submitted elsewhere for the award of any
degree or diploma.
Pronajit Kumar Deb Professor Dr. Md. Sabbir Mostafa Khan Student Supervisor
I
ABSTRACT Irrigation by Low Lift Pumps has been practiced in Bangladesh since 1961-62 through Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). But irrigation by 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps has been practiced in Bangladesh since 1987-88. 100 nos. of 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps brought in Bangladesh to remove the water logging of Dhaka city during the flood of 1988. This water logging programme implemented by BADC. After completion of this programme, this 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps has been experimentally installed in the field for irrigation during 1988-89. Until 1990-91 the responsibility of commissioning, operation and maintence of pumping unit including construction of channels lined with BADC. Subsequently, the beneficiary’s participation was encouraged and responsibilities of operation and maintenance of pumping unit and construction of field channels were transferred to farmers group. BADC looks after seasonal maintenance and provided necessary mechanic and operator services. It also monitors the performance of schemes. Working Irrigation Committee (WIC) pay service charges for 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps. This study has been under taken to evaluate the performance of selected 5-cusec LLPs schemes. A case study was also carried out on fifteen selected schemes at the field level. Analysis of the schemes has been performed using several indicators considering irrigated area, crop production, farmer’s benefit cost ratio, irrigation charge, beneficiary and irrigation profitability aspects. Data were collected by the primary and secondary sources. But in our study, all data were collected by the primary sources except target values. Data relating to the selected schemes and 5 cusec pumping sets under Innovative Use of Surface Project were collected for the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 from the field offices and by planned field visits. Questionnaire surveys were carried out to know mainly the farmers’ view from 75 farmers and 25 scheme managers for this study under the 15 selected schemes on the fifteen selected schemes for this study. The average irrigated area indicator is 0.80, crop production indicator is 0.66, farmer’s benefit cost ratio (BCR) is 1.30, irrigation charge indicator is 3.73, beneficiary indicator is 0.56, and irrigation profitability indicator is 3.36. The irrigated area indicator, crop production indicator and farmers’ benefit cost ratio during the study period were satisfactory. Better maintenance of earthen channels and some seepage reduction works along the bank may be the reasons behind this also. Training of additional personnel and improved WIC activities helped them to achieve the better performance. It is evident from the present study that the scheme manager is operating the system like a business making profit in selling water to the farmers. The farmers are being deprived under the current management because they are paying about 3 to 4 times higher irrigation charge to the scheme managers. No scheme managers share the profit with the farmers. For all scheme in fact, marginal and poor farmers have no representative in the management committee or Working Irrigation Committee (WIC). BADC or Upazilla Irrigation Committee has no control upon the management committee or Working Irrigation Committee (WIC) regarding fixation of irrigation charge. A detailed study on technical and economical analysis could be carried out to examine the possibility of implementing more LLPs schemes in other parts of the country with new LLPs where beneficiaries would repay the cost of the pumps during the project life. Management policy can be changed or improved to save the marginal and poor farmers from the water lords.
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
Bangladesh is one of the most overpopulated countries in the world. The backbone of the
economy of the country is agriculture. The per capita income of the people of this country is
very low. More than 75% peoples live in villages and they are directly or indirectly
dependent upon agriculture.
Once, irrigation of the country was dependent mostly on surface water. Source of surface
water is decreasing at an alarming rate. As a result, pressure is increasing on groundwater.
Excessive withdrawal of groundwater has much harmful effect like spread out of arseconosis,
creation of ecological and environmental imbalance etc. So, it is very essential to develop and
utilize surface water efficiently and to extract groundwater as less as possible, especially from
shallow layer of within 50 meters. At present, only 25% of the total irrigated area in the
country is dependent on surface water. For this reason, this study is proposed for efficient use
of surface water for irrigation.
Bangladesh is a country of vast water resources and consists primarily of a fertile land laid
down by the rivers: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna. Total land area is 14.6
million hectares and about 8.3 million hectares is cultivable of which 7.56 million hectares is
suitable for irrigation.
At present (2010-11 irrigation season), 873 nos. of 5 cusec pump used in Rabi Season for the
purpose of irrigation which covers about 48,015 hectares cultivable land in Bangladesh
(Source: Dept. of Survey and Monitoring, BADC (MI), Dhaka). MPO study revealed that
0.305 Mha can be irrigated using LLPs which leads to increase of 5% irrigation area at full
development. A total of 375 cumecs flow will be required for the development of 0.305 Mha
by the year 2015. This abstraction capacity is equivalent to 2680 nos. of pumps of 5 cusec
capacity. BADC explored that 5 cusec pumps can be installed in haor areas and other places
as single lifting irrigation equipment. Experience on operation of 5 cusec pumps under
2
BADC has already proven its technical feasibility, socio-economic and environmental
viability. The MPO carried out their study all over the Bangladesh. A twenty five years (190-
2015) irrigation plan has been prepared along with suggestion for installation of 5 cusec
pumps along and around the regional and main rivers. It was considered a primary lifting
irrigation device. While the study of BADC was concentrated to specific areas of Bangladesh
with a view to preparing a project (1989-1985). It does not reflect the actual situation of the
country regarding prospects of 5 cusec pumps.
The agriculture sector plays a vital role in the growth of the country’s economy accounting
for the third of GDP, employing about two third of its labour force. During the last three
decades, agriculture witnessed major structural and technological changes. The HYV
Seed-Fertilizer-irrigation technology has pushed up production but still remained behind the
required growth rate for increasing population. It remains essential for agriculture to have an
accelerated growth, not only to supply the food-stuff to the vast population but also to have
enough jobs for rural population and enough tradable products for the overall economy.
Sustainability of production of HYV remains the principal concern of agricultural production
in recent years. Loss of soil fertility followed by unbalanced use of chemical fertilizer, lack of
adequate quantity of water in some areas as well as their inappropriate conservation cause
divergence between potential and actual output of major agriculture commodities. Major
tasks during the coming years will be to address these issues.
Demand for water arises from in-stream needs, which are more or less static, and abstraction
for water supply and food production, which grow over time. Rice, wheat and fish production
increase as a function of elasticity of demand for the different urban and rural income groups.
According to National water Management Plan (NWMP) (NWMP, 2000), the projected
demand for milled rice is 28.5 million ton and 29.9 million ton against the expected
population of 150 million and 181 million up to the years 2010 and 2025 respectively.
Almost all of its 8.3 million hectares of cultivable land in Bangladesh is already in use. Any
additional crop output can only come from increasing yield or cropping intensity. Methods
that are available to achieve these ends depend heavily on irrigation, particularly, minor
irrigation, which accounts for about 90% of irrigation coverage of the country. During the
coming years the main thrust of agricultural development programme will be increased
irrigation coverage, better water management and variety improvement of rice and wheat.
3
Approximately 4.5 million hectares land is under irrigation in Bangladesh. Of this, Low Lift
Pumps (LLPs) currently serve about 0.65 million hectare, Shallow Tube Wells (STWs) about
2.65 millions hectares, Deep Tube Wells (DTWs) about 0.52 million hectare and other
methods about 0.30 million hectare. Major irrigation projects cover about 0.36 million
hectare. The irrigated area has to be raised to about 5.5 million hectares by the year 2010 to
increase total production. The Government’s overall policy aim for the agricultural sector is
to continue to increase production to ensure food security to all. The National Water Policy
(1999) encourages continued support for agricultural growth through private development of
groundwater and where feasible, with surface water development. For this purpose, the
Government policy is to:
• Encourage and promote continued development of major irrigation without affecting
drinking water supplies;
• Encourage future groundwater development for irrigation by both the public and the
private sector, subject to regulations that may be prescribed by the Government from
time to time;
• Improve resources utilization through conjunctive use of all forms of surface water
and groundwater for irrigation and through various efficiency measures;
• Strengthen crop diversification programmes for efficient water utilizations;
• Address the problem of agricultural chemicals polluting surface water and
groundwater;
• Strengthen systems for monitoring water use, water quality and groundwater recharge.
The main target of the present Government is to accelerate total development through
implementing poverty alleviation programme. Most of the poor, who live in rural areas,
depend upon agricultural activities for their livelihood. To implement poverty alleviation
programme, the most important determinant was the agricultural development in rural areas.
Agricultural development got acceleration through the development of irrigation activities.
This project had been proposed to increase crop production and upgrade socio-economic
condition of the rural people of the project area by supplying adequate irrigation water,
applying on-firm water management (command area development) and construction of
irrigation infrastructure of appropriate local and low cost technology.
4
Objectives of the water sector during the coming years stretching over the period from
2000-2001 will be to alleviate poverty and generate employment opportunities and to fulfill
the need of irrigation for achieving food grain self sufficiency by ensuring year round
sustainable irrigation through conjunctive use of surface and groundwater and thus avoiding
over extraction of groundwater.
In order to achieve the planned objectives in the water sector, the strategy will lay stresses on
maximum utilization of existing facilities through command area development, effective
operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of existing projects, quick completion of carried-
over projects, balanced use of surface water and groundwater and prevention of salinity
intrusion into rivers and channels. In case of new projects, an integrated basin/sub-basin
planning approach will be followed. Avoidance of conflicts between in stream and off-stream
users of water, delineation of coastal areas for shrimp culture on a scientific basis and zoning
of areas for shrimp cultivation and paddy cultivation, development of data base and
encouraging local participation in project planning, implementation, operation and
maintenance, protection of towns, commercial centers and agricultural lands from erosion of
inland and border rivers including repair and maintenance of existing river bank protection
works will be pursued.
1.2 Importance of the Study
The LLP used for surface water irrigation is the oldest mode of mechanized irrigation
introduction in the country since the late fifties. Over the years it has proved to be the most
cost-effective of all minor irrigation technologies in Bangladesh. It is attractive and
affordable to most investors and provides positive economic returns. In spite of this
contribution of surface water to total irrigated area has steadily declined from 75% in 1979-
80 to 28% in 1996-97, while the contribution of groundwater has increased from 25% to 72%
during the period. The reasons for the stagnation of the area served by surface water may be
attributed to a large extent to the scarcity of surface water in small rivers, canals and beels,
reduction of conveyance capacity of water bodies due to siltation. Additionally, total
privatization of LLP characterized by low command area, poor maintenance, weak on-farm
water management practices and higher wastage of water reduce the usage of surface water.
5
National Water Plan Project Phase-II (1991) proposed the following strategies for
development of surface water:
• Short Term - Develop all regional surface water allocated to agriculture for irrigation
by LLP and Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation (FCDI) scheme on minor and
broader rivers.
• Medium Term – Develop Main River waters by pumps and improve off takes to
supply to LLPs.
• Long Term – Start studies of major barrages on the Ganges and the Brahmaputra
rivers so that implementation could be started by 1995 and benefits begin to accrue by
2010.Under this schedule, ultimate development could be achieved by about 2020.
The short term strategy of development surface water by LLP and small scale FCDL schemes
has essentially been accomplished. The LLP mode of irrigation has been privatized and it is
reasonable to expect that the private sector will maintain a level of pumping by LLP that is
compatible with navigation and fisheries uses.
Medium term development of surface water was planned for the period up to 2010 and
consists of diversion of stream flow from the main rivers into existing canals. The water is to
be withdrawn or diverted from the main rivers by short gestation schemes including land
based pumps, pontoon mounted floating pumps, excavation and dredging of off-takes. These
schemes will augment the water supply in small rivers and distributaries for expansion of
irrigation from canals by LLPs. The existing network of streams and canals would be used in
to avoid acquisition and dislocation.
Long term plan for development of surface water depends upon major barrages on the
Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers to provide control for both diversion and storage. The
feasibility studies and construction works would take at least 15-20 years to harvest the
benefit of the project.
Groundwater irrigation, especially DTW and STW will be fast reaching saturation with
exhaustion of economic sites and resources. Arsenic contamination is also continuously
posing an increasing threat to the use of groundwater. On the other hand, easily available
6
surface water within the present LLP technology limit is almost exhausted with the fielding
of over 70,000 LLPs. So the future growth of irrigation will depend on the use of main and
regional waters by adopting medium term strategy which consists of withdrawing and
diversion of major river water through pontoon and land based pumps, and making suitable
provisions (through construction of required hydraulic structures) to augment the water
supply in the existing network of streams and canals.
Under the fifth five year plan (1997-2002) strategy, greater emphasis was laid down on
immediate harnessing and use of main and regional river water to augment the supply in the
smaller rivers and canals, and raise the area of surface water irrigation from the existing level
of about 1.25 million hectares to about 1.50 million hectares.
For public irrigation Development, NWMP (2004) proposed to improve performance and
cost recovery of existing public irrigation schemes, to develop regional river systems in
concert with flow augmentation works and to take up some new lower cost major irrigation
schemes where feasible.
Government of Bangladesh has set strategic goals in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
(PRSP) on surface water as, “Expand Utilization of Surface Water” and “Augment Surface
Water Utilization (Retention) in Rivers, Creeks and Khals”. PRSP policy agenda (FY05 -
FY07) has laid down future priorities on “Harness water of all transboundary rivers and
negotiate with upper riparian countries, formulae integrated projects for augmentation of the
Ganges and the Brahmaputra river flow, implement National Water Management Plan
(NWMP), increase utilization of surface water for irrigation and other purpose”. Thus with
due importance to PRSP strategic goals, future priorities and the other strategies/factors
mentioned above, it is necessary to conduct studies on the utilization of surface water.
Keeping the national priority in the perspective and consistent with its new role and old
experience, BADC has been implementing the project, “Innovative Use of Surface Water
Project (IUSWP) (1st Phase)” which was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and the
Planning Commission and was due to start functioning from July 2005 to June 2008. The
main objective of the project is to facilitate additional agricultural production of 11.78
thousand tons of food grains annually through providing irrigation facilities to 4.71 thousand
acres of land. The irrigation system is used in many of the schemes under this project. 25 nos.
7
of 5 cusec LLPs are used for this purpose. So, this project in an important example of sharing
irrigation costs by public and private sectors. There are institutional bodies such as Working
Irrigation Committee (WIC) for smooth operation of the schemes as well as realization of
irrigation charges, creating self-employment opportunity and alleviate poverty for the
Owners/Managers/Operators/Fieldsmen of Irrigation and Agricultural equipments and
farmers by upgrading their skill through training. Based on its achievement, the second phase
of the innovative use of surface water project (IUSWP-II) has been undertaken for
implementation in the period from July 2009 to June 2014.
Experiences during the last decades show that many public irrigation projects in Bangladesh
have failed to achieve their desired goals. Similarly, an irrigation project, which appears to be
viable at starting or during development, may become non-functional in absence of many
acceptable level of performance in the following years. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a
study on the double lifting irrigation schemes of BADC to investigate their performance and
management approach.
1.3 Participatory Water Management Approach
Participatory water management Practice in the selected scheme has been compared with the
Guidelines for Participatory Water Management (GPWM, 2000) and that practiced in the
BWDB and LGED projects.
The organizational chart of the irrigation water management organization of the double lifting
irrigation scheme is shown in Figure 4.29. For comparison, the organizational structure of
water management organization of small-scale projects as proposed by GPWM and that
adopted by the LGED are shown in Figure 4.30 and Figure 4.31, respectively. A guideline for
Participatory Water Management (GPWM, 2000) suggests two tiers (as shown in Figure
4.30) formation of water management organization for project up to 1000 hectares. Water
Management Association (WMA) serves at the apex level of the project/scheme and Water
Management Group (WMG) at the lowest level for each smallest hydrological unit (para or
village). BWDB introduced a slightly different four tiers formation of water management
group in FCDI projects (BWDB, 1999; Mukherjee, 2004) and LGED has introduced two tiers
formation of water management organizations. BADC in its double lifting irrigation project
has introduced two water management organizations as explained in the previous section.
8
According to BWDB and LGED, all people irrespective of gender and of different profession
e.g., farmer’s, fisherman, boatman, landless and other project affected people are eligible to
become members of the water management organization. This is in line landowners and
sharecroppers of the respective area to become the member of the irrigation committees. This
is due to the single purpose of water use i.e., irrigation only.
The GPWM suggests the Water Management Group (WMG) may or may not be registered
but Water Management Association (WMA) are to be registered with the framework of the
Co-operative Societies Act, 1984 and the Co-operative Societies Rules, 1987.In BWDB, the
rules and regulations are formulated by BWDB and Water Users Organizations (WUOs) with
the provision of modification of it time to time according to necessity. In LGED, Water
Management Co-operative Association (WMCAs) is to be registered under co-operative law
of 1987. In BADC, the Working Irrigation Committees are not registered under co-operative
laws so that their legal basis is weaker. They are only listed by the Upazilla Irrigation
Committees (UIC). Responsibilities in connection with the irrigation activities, irrigation
charge/fee/rent collection including conflict resolution are distributed at different tiers of the
institutional frameworks under different organizations in their own ways.
UIC
UIC : Upazilla Irrigation Committee
WIC : Working Irrigation Committee
BADC
WIC
Benefited Farmers Figure 1.1: Organogram of the water management organization of the IUSWP of BADC.
9
WMA
WMA = Water Management Association
WMG= Water Management Group
WMG WMG WMG
Figure 1.2: Organogram of water management organization for project up to 1000 ha (GPWM 2000) of BWDB.
WMCA = Water Management Cooperative Association EC = Executive Committee
LGI
EC of WMCA
Resposibility
WMCA
Figure 1.3: Institutional framework for O&M of small scale projects of LGED.
LGED
Legislation
10
From the above comparison it is obvious that the BADC irrigation committees as water
management organization are not formal like LGED. The project authority formulates some
guidelines of activities, which do not have legal basis to be strictly followed.
1.4 Objectives
The specific objectives of the present study are:
(a) To evaluate the performance of selected 5 cusec LLPs schemes under the first phase
of the innovative use of surface water project (IUSWP-I) on the basis of technical,
agricultural, socio-economic, institutional and environmental indicators.
(b) To study the operation and maintenance practices of selected 5 cusec LLPs schemes.
11
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Irrigation System in Bangladesh
Irrigation is a precondition for remarkable growth in agriculture in Bangladesh. Accordingly
it has taken an important place in all the past national development initiatives. Agricultural
practices throughout the country were kept alive and motional during dry season through
different mode of irrigation technologies. Among those technological innovations both
traditional and modern system of irrigation exists. Traditional irrigation systems,
characterized by non mechanized indigenous techniques were being used by our farmers for
centuries. On the other hand, modern mechanized irrigation is relatively recent and generally
became significant in the past 30 years. For the historical and institutional reasons, modern
irrigation system has been broadly classified into major and minor systems. Figure 2.1 shows
the irrigation systems in Bangladesh (MPO, 1991).
The major irrigation system consists of primary pumping unit with or without gravity
diversion provision often with a canal distribution network, sometimes included with a
secondary lift by Low Lift Pumps (LLPs). Ti may also include major pumps with necessary
distribution network. Minor irrigation system consists of traditional and modern irrigation
devices with a force mode or suction mode of lifting. Traditional mode of minor irrigation
includes doon, swing basket, rower pump, treadle pump, hand tubewell etc. The suction mode
irrigation includes Shallow Tubewells (STWs), Deep Set Shallow Tubewells (DSSTWs) with
a diesel or electrically operating device and Low Lift Pumps (LLPs). Force mode irrigation
includes only Deep Tubewells (DTW) with a diesel or electrically operating device.
Poor performance of irrigation schemes has been recognized as a major problem in the
agricultural sector of Bangladesh. Consequently, a number of studies have been carried out
since 80s to evaluate the performance of different irrigation projects. In the first part of this
chapter such studies have been reviewed briefly. In the second part, the Innovative Use of
Surface Water Project (IUSWP) has been explained.
12
2.2 Previous Studies on the Performance of Different Irrigation Schemes/Projects in
Bangladesh.
Alam (2000) evaluated the system performance of the Chandpur Irrigation Project in terms of
water balance parameters. Water balance study and performance evaluation was performed
for irrigation seasons of 1996 and 1998. The inputs (irrigation water supply and rainfall),
outputs (crop water use and percolation losses) and storage change were calculated for each
10-day period. The study revealed that irrigation water supply was more adequate in the
irrigation season of 1998 compared to that of 1996. Seasonal average value of relative water
supply was found to be 1.21 in 1996 and 1.08 in 1998. Seasonal project efficiency was
computed as 62% in 1996 and 64.0% in 1998. On the other hand, water delivery performance
was computed as 60.9% in 1996 and 48% in 1998. It was concluded that in the irrigation
season of 1998 substantial improvement of project performance in terms of water adequacy
and efficiency was observed which might be due to rehabilitation works carried out by the
project authority of Chandpur Irrigation Project in 1997.
Alam (2006) carried out a study on the performance of selected double lifting irrigation
schemes of BADC. Keeping the national priority in the perspective and consistent with nits
new rule and old experience, BADC has been implementing the project, ``Expansion of
Irrigation through Utilization of Surface Water by double Lifting (1st Phase)”. The double
lifting system uses floating pumps to divert the flow of perennial sources into smaller rivers,
canals etc. making suitable provision for heading up the water for secondary lifting. The
secondary lifting of irrigation water are performed by smaller capacity LLPs owned by the
farmers. The current study focused on franc evaluation of ten schemes under the Double
Lifting Irrigation Project (DLIP). Five of schemes are fully double lifting, two with partial
double lifting and three without secondary lifting. Their performances were analyzed on the
basis of selected agricultural, socio-economic, technical and institutional indicators. From the
long-term data of the floating pump projects, time variations of performance indicators were
also studied. The area irrigated per cusec of the schemes under consideration has been
increased every year since the inception of double lifting irrigation project. Fully DLIP
floating pump schemes performed better (~28%) with respect to area irrigated per cusec of
water compared to the schemes without secondary lifting. All the schemes produced
increased amount of crop every year from the starting year of the DLIP. The indicator of
additional crop production was above 1.0 in all cases. Apparently, O&M costs of the schemes
13
are increased every year but when discounted values of the costs are compared, this trend is
not obvious. O&M cost is within 5-20% of the value of produce, which is reduced from the
inception year to the following years. The ratio of O&M cost with total value of produce is
almost double in case of double lifting schemes compared to the schemes with no secondary
lifting. The difference is reduced in the subsequent years. The performances of the fully
double lifting schemes are poor in case of realization of irrigation charges. Average irrigation
charge indicator value is about 30% lower than that in the schemes with no secondary lifting.
100% realization is observed in the latter case. The reason behind this is the reluctance of the
irrigation committees to pay the charge to the project authorities although they collect the full
charge from the farmers. The financial viability indicator values of the double lifting schemes
are low and may reduce below 1.0. On average, financial viability of double lifting schemes
are 45% lower than the schemes without secondary lifting. Conveyance efficiency of primary
canals of double lifting schemes is about 15% higher than the observed efficiency in other
projects. The proportion of active water users organization, expressed in the users’ stake
indicator is high up to 100% in double lifting schemes (average 77%), whereas in other
schemes, the figure is less than 50%.The performances of the schemes under study are very
good in terms of the beneficiary indicator. The average indicator value is 70% higher in
double lifting schemes than the remaining schemes. When all the indicators are considered
together, the difference of overall performances between the best and the worst schemes is
about 27%. Again, double lifting schemes perform only 11% lower than the schemes without
secondary lifting.
Chowdhury (1988) conducted a research on improvement of water utilization in a double Lift
Irrigation system by taking up a case study on some selected primary pumps under Barisal
Irrigation Project, Phase-1 to identify and document the problems associated with the poor
performance of the pumping units. He also performed an economic analysis to determine the
cost-effectiveness of creek improvement work for water distribution by gravity. The study
revealed that most of the pumps remained under-utilized. Lack of assured water supply in the
creeks. Lack of effective organization to rent the low lift pumps and disinterest of the farmers
were among the reasons for such under-utilization. Considerable water loss and siltation were
observed as the main technical problems constraining adequate water supply to the creeks.
The study recommended re-excavation of creeks under Food for Works Programme as an
economically viable means to ensure gravity diversion the lands and improve the utilization
of the existing facilities.
14
Das (2001) selected a set of performance indicators e.g. adequacy, efficiency, equity and
dependability to evaluate the performance of the Ganges-Kobadak (g-k) project. The study
revealed that the system performed poorly in terms of efficiency and equity but it performed
well in terms of adequacy and dependability of supply. Adequacy of the system was 2.31 and
1.7 for Kharif-I and Kharif-II seasons, respectively but irrigation efficiency was poor (0.56
and 0.60 for Kharif-I and Kharif-II respectively). Equity in water delivery was also found to
be poor (0.63 and 0.76 for Kharif-I and Kharif-II respectively). Dependability of water supply
i.e, the ratio of actual to planned duration of water delivery was 1.20 and 1.06 for Kharif-I
and Kharif-II seasons respectively. Irrigated area performance (1.00) and production
performance (0.89) were quite good during Kharif-II season but these were not satisfactory
(0.67 and 0.78) during the Kharif-I season. Economic performance such as financial viability
(0.55) financial self-sufficiency (0.002) and fee collection performance (0.008) were very
poor. Finally, it was recommended that to keep the irrigation system functioning O&M
allocation as well as water tax collection must be increased.
Das (1992) conducted a research during the dry seasons of 1988-89 to 1991-1992 to evaluate
the impact of improved water distribution system on the performance of Deep Tube well
schemes. In this research, the average conveyance losses were found to be 14% for
compacted earth channel and 0.4% for buried pipe system. it was found that on an average
conveyance loss was 43% lower for compacted earth and 97% lower for buried pipes
compared to traditional system. The average area irrigated per unit of water supplied by
DTWs with improved distribution system was found to be about 11% higher than that of
DTWs with traditional distribution system.
Rahman (1997) studied the performance of floating pump irrigation in Bangladesh. He
selected six schemes and assessed the impact on the basis of four parameters namely, area
irrigated, irrigation cost, number of farmers benefited and yield. In this study the time serious
analysis indicated that the area irrigated per unit of discharge increased by 92% and the
irrigation cost per hectare decreased by 12% due to change in management i.e., due to
introduction of central level and block level management systems. The total number of direct
beneficiaries was found to be increased but the number of farmers benefited per hectare was
decreased by 9%.
15
Rabbani (1981) carried out a study on the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra project to determine
the water utilization efficiency. During the drought part (irrigation period), wet part (drainage
period) and for the whole growing season, the water utilization efficiency were computed to
be only 56% and 49% respectively.
Mandal (2000) conducted the performance evaluation of 5 DTWs and 10 DTWs of Rajbari
district using some selected standard indicators such as hydraulic indicators, agricultural
indicators and socio-economic indicators. Results of the analyses showed that delivery
performance ratio of DTWs is 0.93 and that of DTWs is 1.21. The average discharge of both
DTWS and STWs (53.1/sec and 17.1/sec respectively) were greater than the respective
national average (46.1/sec and 12.1/sec). No relationship was found between pump discharge
and command area. But a good correlation was found to exist between the volume of water
lifted and the command area (r2 value is 0.96 for DTW and 0.90 for STW). The slope of the
regression line (command area versus volume) for DTWs was found to be 1.5 times of STWs
which indicated that increase in command area per unit increase in volume of water
withdrawal was more for DTWs compared to STWs. In the unlined portion of the DTW
canal, the average conveyance loss was 6.5m/day and it was 1.4m/day for the lined portion.
In STWs with unlined canals, the average conveyance loss was 4.1m/day. Dependability of
water deliveries of STW and DTW schemes (0.85 and 0.79 respectively) was satisfactory
during 1999-98 Boro season. Agricultural performance, evaluated in terms of irrigated area
performance (0.79 and 0.76 for DTWs and STWs respectively, yield performance (1.16 for
both DTWs and STWs) and production performance (0.92 and 0.87 for DTWs and STWs
respectively) was greater than the national average. Total financial viability of DTW and
STW schemes (3.23 and 3.61respectively) were quite high during 1999-98 Boro season. But
the profitability of farmers was 1.06 and 1.05 for DTWs and STWs, respectively, during the
same period. Fee collection performance was exactly 100%.
Mirja (1991) evaluated the environmental impacts of Chandpur Irrigation Project. Major
areas considered for impact assessment were: fishery, agriculture, livestock, and vector
diseases, diarrhea diseases, irrigation and flood protection, navigation, use of agriculture
inputs, maintenance and embankment stability and institutional settings. The study revealed
that after commissioning of the project, the flood plain fishery reduced drastically but the
closed water fishery increased specially after establishment of hatcheries The project
tremendously benefited the agriculture sector and emerged as a food surplus area
16
immediately after commissioning the project, but later it became a food deficit area due to
decrease in soil fertility. The project area generated environment for vector diseases
especially for malarial growth. Due to drainage congestion in many areas, it caused damages
to the monsoon crops, increasing attack of post and waterweeds. The livestock population
was decreasing due to lack of grazing grounds. Navigation was also hampered.
Mukherjee (2004) carried out a research on four of the LGED small scale FCDI sub-projects
and one medium scale FCDI project of BWDB located in different parts of Bangladesh to
improve the performance by developing Participatory Water Management system. In the
course of making the suggestion for suitable management approach, performance evaluation
considering the agricultural, socio-economic and environmental aspects was performed and
the efficiency constraints were identified. Improper system maintenance and lack of
beneficiary participation were found to be the main reasons behind the less success of the
water schemes. It is revealed that partial decentralization in LGED schemes helps in
sustainable agricultural and overall financial development, but almost in every case the rate
of farmer’s involvement or beneficiary participation in system management was found to be
not satisfactory. Recommendations have been made with high emphasis on peoples’
participation and alternative management model have been suggested to overcome many of
the efficiency constraints for both small and medium scale projects.
An important study carried out by the Department of Water Resources Engineering (DWRE),
BUET (2003) to evaluate the Small-Scale Water Resources Development Sector Project-1
(SSW-1) as implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The
performances of 30 randomly selected sub-projects were assessed based on the key technical
issues, socio-economic outcome of the project, institutional development and sustainability.
The poverty alleviation, gender issue, beneficiaries participation and, efficiency and
effectiveness of training were assessed under this study.
Rana (2004) a study on the impact of participatory water management intervention work in
Narayanganj-Narsingdi irrigation project in terms of technical, institution, agricultural, socio-
economic, financial and economic aspects. The intervention work produced significant
positive results in terms of crop productivity, agricultural returns, household income, supply
and distribution of irrigation water and farmer’s willingness to participate in operation and
maintenance of the project. Hydraulic assessment showed improved overall reliability of the
17
canal systems and the average relative water supply at agricultural plot was higher compared
to pre-intervention condition. Another most positive aspect of the intervention work was that
the coverage of irrigated area was increased significantly from 64.29% to 90.55% resulting
irrigation system performance better. But in institutional improvement, limited success was
achieved. So, a modified Participatory Water Management framework was proposed for
Narayanganj-Narsingdi Irrigation Project with a hope of remarkable success for the
beneficiaries in future from this project.
Rahman (2005) performed a study to evaluate the impact of command area development in
Meghna-Dhonagoda irrigation project taking into consideration of the hydraulic, agricultural,
socio-economic, environmental and institutional aspects. The results of the evaluation study
revealed that Relative Water Supply (RWS) to the field and water level in irrigation canals in
post Command Area Development situation was higher than the pre-Command Area
Development situation and the actual water levels were very close to Full Supply Level
(FSL). This means that overall reliability of the canal system has been improved after
Command Area Development Programme in Meghna-Dhonagoda Irrigation Project (MDIP).
RWS values with an average of 0.93 were achieved during post-Command area Development
programme for Boro rice. Actual irrigated area has been increased by three times compared
to the benchmark year, 1996-97 and irrigated area coverage increased by about
60%.Cropping intensity increased from 200% to 250%.Yield for HYV Boro increased from 4
ton/ha to 4.75 ton/ha. Production of HYV Boro rice was increased by about 3 times compared
to benchmark year. Irrigation fee collection was quite insignificant and only from fee
collection, it is not possible to make the project O & M financially self sustaining. There was
no remarkable environment change for water quality and natural vegetation after Command
Area Development Programme in the MDIP. However, fish production was increased by two
times as compared to the benchmark year. From the institutional aspects, the result of the
evaluation study revealed that though all selected Water Management Groups (WMG) were
registered, their activities in all cases were not satisfactory. The study recommended for
increasing efforts to further improve the interaction between the WMG and BWDB and
collection irrigation fee to make O&M of the project sustainable.
Under BUET-DUT Linkage project phase-111(2006), a coordinated research has been carried
out during 2001-06 in the Department of Water Resources Engineering, BUET on
Participatory Water Management (PWM) in Bangladesh. The PMW approach has been
18
applied at Narayangonj-Narsingdi Irrigation Project (NNIP) of Bangladesh, to observe its
performance in terms of technical, agricultural financial and economical, and socio-
institutional aspects. Under the same research project an attempt has been made to evaluate 4
small-scale project of LGED and 3 large-scale project of BWDB externally through a set of
questionnaire survey, extensive field visit and group discussion. Two-tier water management
organization (WMO) comprising 40 water Management Groups (WMGs) at the lowest
tertiary canal level and one Water management Association has been institutionalized in the
NNIP since 2003-04 in order assume the everyday water management of the project from the
BWDB. The objectives for the establishment of PWM approach were to ensure beneficiaries’
participation, self-control of the management, and O&M cost reduction and its effectives use.
As such three seasons data (pre-PWM: 2002-03, post-PWM: 2003-04 and 2004-05) have
been collected in order to evaluate the performance and suggest further modification that
might be necessary for PWM practice. Under this research, a group of technical and
extension staff of BWDB have been engaged, to work with the local beneficiaries in the field
related to irrigation and O&M activities, at the same time help in setting the local institution.
Monitoring the impacts of the PWM approach at NNIP, offered a lesson learning event.
Based on the pilot-scale experience at NNIP and other external/field evaluation of LGED and
BWDB water resources projects, a range of modification of the Guidelines for Participatory
Water Management (GPWM) has been proposed for application under PWM in the water
resources projects of Bangladesh.
19
CHAPTER 3
PROJECT SUMMERY
3.1 Innovative Use of Surface Water Project (IUSWP)
3.1.1 General
The country has to produce about 32 million metric ton of food grains to feed its projected
population of 150 million by the year 2010. The increase in production has to come mostly
from irrigated rice, which is dependent on rapid expansion of irrigation. During this period,
irrigation coverage has to be raised from existing 4.5 million hectares to 5.5 million hectares
and surface water irrigation has to be increased from about 1.25 million hectares to about 1.5
million hectares. Since easily available surface water within the context of present Low Lift
Pump (LLP) technology is almost exhausted with the fielding of over 70,000 LLPs and due to
silting up of small rivers, canals and beels etc, the future growth of surface water irrigation
will depend on the use of water of the regional and main rivers. This would require use of
higher capacity pumps from small rivers and canals to delivered directly in crop field or for
diversion of the water from small rivers to small canals and distributaries and finally
delivered to crop field by gravity system.
3.1.2 Background of the IUSWP
Bangladesh is one of the most over populated country in the world. The backbone of the
economy of the country is agriculture. The per capita income of the people of this country is
very low. More than 75% peoples live in villages and they are directly or indirectly
dependent upon agriculture. For this, the Government has initiated to take up a number of
development project for poverty alleviation through increasing food production and to
improve the socio-economic condition of rural people.
Once, irrigation of the country was dependent mostly on surface water. Source of surface
water is decreasing at an alarming rate. As a result, pressure is increasing on ground water.
20
Excessive withdrawal of ground water has much harmful effect like spread out of
arseconosis, creation of ecological and environmental imbalance etc. So, it is very essential to
develop and utilize surface water efficiently and to extract groundwater as less as possible,
especially from shallow layer of within 50 meters. At present, only 25% of the total irrigated
area in the country is dependent on surface water. For this reason, this study is proposed for
efficient use of surface water for irrigation.
This project has been proposed for the hilly region of the southeastern and northeastern
region of Bangladesh. The project area consists of 42 upazillas of 4 districts Chittagonj,
Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and Sunamgonj. The total area of these 4 districts is 14054.50 Sq. km.
and population is 1,35,51,134 nos. (Population Census-2001). Total agricultural land of the
project area is 7.50 lack hacters out of which only 2.01 lac hacters of land is under irrigation.
The special potentials of the project area exist of : (i) natural water bodies for storing food
and rain water, (ii) natural tidal khal-nalas where water enter during flow tide and retard
during ebb tide (iii) connecting khal-nalas which carry flowing water from chharas.
Importance has been given to poverty alleviation through human resource development.
Training has been imparted to the owners/ managers/ operators/ field men of irrigation/
agricultural equipment’s on operation, repair and maintenance. The training also imparted to
the farmers on efficient use of irrigation water by applying on farm water management
technology. This helped to increase irrigated area and thereby agricultural production.
With a view to implement the project, the DPP of the project was prepared and submitted to
the Planning Commission. After maintaining all formalities the DPP was approved on 16
February 2006.
3.1.3 Objectives of the IUSWP
a) To grow more food by developing irrigation infrastructure and increasing availability
of surface water by applying modern and local appropriate technology.
21
b) To create self-employment opportunity and alleviate poverty for the Owners/
Managers/ Operators/ fieldsmen of irrigation and Agricultural equipments and
farmers by upgrading their skill through training.
3.1.4 Location
According to approved Project Performa (PP), the project covers 40 upazillas of Chittagonj,
Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and Sunamgonj districts subject to the condition of availability of surface
water.
3.1.5 Topography and General Feature of the Project Area
The project area is irregularly shaped with varying land elevation. Naturally depressed areas
(haor) are also included in the project area. The general elevation of the agricultural lands
varies from 5.50m to 2.0m with respect to mean sea level. WARPO has divided the country
into eight hydrological regions based on natural features, which are: North West (NW), North
Central (NC), North East (NE), North West (SW). South Central (SC), South East (SE),
Eastern Hills (EH) and River and Estuary (RE). The Project activities are mainly
concentrated in the North Eastern and Eastern Hill region.
3.1.5.1 North Eastern Region
It covers Sylhet, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Hobiganj and Moulovi Bazar districts
but the project area covers Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. It has relatively little exploitable
shallow ground water due to aquifer problems but has abundant dry season surface water
resources. Most irrigation is therefore by LLPs rather than STWs. The Principle Rivers of the
project area are Surma, Kushiara and their distributaries like Jadukata Nadi, Chalti Nadi,
Rakti Nadi etc. The region’s dominant feature is 5600 sq. km. haor basin containing 47 major
haors and 6300 beels of which 55% are perennial. There is a threat of flash flooding from the
Indian hills in April-May. Arsenic problem is found in most of the region. Highest numbers
of project pumps (about 40%) are operated in this region.
22
3.1.5.2 The Eastern Hill Region
In addition to the above regions, project pumps are operated in Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar
coastal plain which is protected by an exisiting coastal embankment system. There are some
arsenic problems in the northern part of this region. The scope for surface water irrigation is
limited by the low dry season flows out of Chittagong Hill Tracts. About 5% of the project
pumps are operated in the coastal plains of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar districts.
3.1.5.3 Climate and Hydrology
During the summer, in the northeast regions Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, hot spell extends
from April to May and the mean monthly temperature ranges from 25ºC to 38ºC, whereas
January is the coldest month and the temperature ranges from 8ºC to 15ºC. Sylhet and
Sunamganj district lie in the highest rainfall area of Bangladesh and annual rainfall ranges
from 2500 mm to 5500 mm. The annual rainfall of Chittagang and Cox’s Bazar districts
ranges from 2000 mm to 3000 mm. Maximum rainfall occurs in April to October. Average
wind velocity varies from 3-4 km/hr except coastal region.
3.1.5.4 Agriculture
Agriculture practices in the project area are more or less same as the rest of country. Rice is
the most dominate crop (about 86%), followed by wheat (about 7%) and other crops (about
7%). The main cropping seasons are Kharif-1 (March to July), Kharif-11 (July to December)
and Rabi (November to April) although there is some overlapping between November to
February and harvested between April and May, is the most widely grown crop, absence of
flooding, low humidity and wide variation between day and night temperatures.
3.1.5.5 Irrigation Practices
The project area is potentially rice in both surface and ground water. Low lift Pumps (LLPs)
are used for utilization of surface water from minor rivers, canals, haors and beels from early
sixties. Deep tube wells (DTWs) and shallow tube wells (STWs) are used for ground water
23
abstraction from early seventies. In addition to these, manually operated pumps (MOP) and
traditional devices are also used irrigation purposes at a lower scale.
3.1.5.6 Cropping Intensity
The existing cropping intensity in the project area ranges from 146% to 190%, the average
being 175%. The another objective of the project is to increase rice production through
introduction of HYV rice replacing the local varieties, by providing improved water
management and better crop management practices. With the introduction of the project
activities, the rice cropping has already been intensified and the overall cropping intensity
will also be improved.
3.1.6 Operation and Maintenance
BADC is responsible for procurement and installation of 5 cusec pumping sets whiles the
responsibilities of operation and security lies with the farmers groups. BADC is responsible
for complete routine repair of the pumps to keep those fully ready for operation before
commencement of the irrigation season. For this, BADC bears the requisite expenses along
with spare parts. The Working Irrigation Committee (WIC) bears the expenses of electric bill
and all other maintenance for operation of pumps during the irrigation season in the field.
3.1.7 Annual Service/Irrigation Charge
Annual pump rent of each pumping set is Tk. 15,000.00. Annual irrigation charges are
realized from scheme managers in favor of the Irrigation Committee before fielding of the
pumping sets.
3.1.8 Institutional Interventions
Irrigation Committee is formed in each scheme for smooth operation of the schemes under
the project and fixing up as well as realization of service/irrigation charges. BADC
coordinates the activities of the committee.
24
3.1.9 Excavation or Re-excavation of Khals (Normal and Tidal)/ Nalas/
Hilly Chharas
BADC provides for the development of excavation or re-excavation of Khals (Normal and
Tidal)/ Nalas/ Hilly Chharas facilities to increase the water conservation and distribution
capacity of the exiting canals. Apart from this, BADC extends technical assistance to the
farmers/users to develop the water delivery system, canal improvement and design of
distribution system for the project.
3.1.10 Irrigation Structure
BADC provides for the development of infrastructure facilities and civil works including
construction of cross dams, discharge boxes, lined irrigation canals and auxiliary works to
increase the water conservation and distribution capacity of the exiting canals. Apart from
this, BADC extends technical assistance to the farmers/users to develop the water delivery
system, canal improvement and design of distribution system for the project.
3.1.11 Training of Beneficiaries
BADC imparts training to President, Secretary, Treasurer and other members of the
committees on smooth operation of schemes for 5 working days, drivers and field men on
proper maintenance and operation of 5 cusec pumps for 5 working days also, farmers of
whole schemes on increase of irrigation efficiency and all agricultural technologies for 3
working days.
3.1.12 Irrigation Method
After proper installation of 5 cusec pumps the farmer group or committee constituted to
manage the scheme makes arrangement to operate the pump as per irrigation schedule. The
pump delivers water into a discharge box, which is provided with some sort of energy
dissipation arrangement. From the discharge box, water is delivered to the field by gravity
through field channels. Gravity distribution system is ideal in the schemes where the ground
elevation naturally slopes away from the bank of the river to the field. A careful design of the
25
distribution system enables irrigation of the large area efficiently. For this, contour survey of
the command area, preparation of command area maps and location of primary, secondary
and tertiary distribution field channels are essential. Water is carried to the project area by
existing canal network with required improvement of canals through excavation, bank rising,
head works, etc. For large schemes covering several hundred acres, the command area is
divided into blocks of manageable size, which is served, by feeder canals and internal
channels. For each block one day is earmarked for application of irrigation water in a week
by following rotation system. Irrigation is started from the furthest block. The whole on-farm
water management system is planned using low cost water control structures and compacted
ear then channels and other auxiliary works.
3.2 Participatory Water Management Practice
Participatory Water Management approach has been introduced in the LLP schemes of
BADC but in slightly different form than that of GPWM (2000), BWDB and LGED projects.
In this project, water management irrigation committee (WMIC) is formed. The Upazilla
Irrigation Committee (UIC) is formed by the Upazilla level officers of DAE, BRDB, LGED,
PDB, REB, BWDB and representatives from financial institution as members. The Senior
Sub-Assistant Engineer of BADC is the member secretary, UNO is the Vice President and
Upazilla Chairman is the President of this committee. This committee approves irrigation
schemes, maintains a list of the approved schemes and helps in conflict resolution if such
cases arise. The Working Irrigation Committee (WIC) is formed with a view to smooth
operation, repair and maintenance of 5 cusec pumps to be used. Each comprises of a
President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and 12 members. The President, Secretary, Treasurer and
members of the committee are elected by direct votes of the beneficiary farmers. The
committee maintains proper account of money to be collected for operation of pumps and
keeps the members aware of it. BADC supervises the activities of the committee.
Keeping the national priority in the perspective and consistent with its new role and old
experience, BADC has been implementing the project, “Innovative Use of Surface Water
Project (IUSWP) (1st Phase)” which was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and the
Planning Commission and was due to start functioning from July 2005 to June 2008. The
main objective of the project is to facilitate additional agricultural production of 11.78
26
thousand tons of food grains annually through providing irrigation facilities to 4.71 thousand
acres of land. The irrigation system is used in many of the schemes under this project. 25 nos.
of 5 cusec LLPs are used for this purpose. So, this project in an important example of sharing
irrigation costs by public and private sectors. There are institutional bodies such as Working
Irrigation Committee (WIC) for smooth operation of the schemes as well as realization of
irrigation charges, creating self-employment opportunity and alleviate poverty for the
Owners/Managers/Operators/Fieldsmen of Irrigation and Agricultural equipments and
farmers by upgrading their skill through training. Based on its achievement, the second phase
of the innovative use of surface water project (IUSWP-II) has been undertaken for
implementation in the period from July 2009 to June 2014.
Experiences during the last decades show that many public irrigation projects in Bangladesh
have failed to achieve their desired goals. Similarly, an irrigation project, which appears to be
viable at starting or during development, may become non-functional in absence of many
acceptable level of performance in the following years. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a
study on the double lifting irrigation schemes of BADC to investigate their performance and
management approach.
27
CHARTER 4
METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION
4.1 Introduction
For performance evaluation of irrigation schemes, different indicators are used by different
researchers. The project performance indicators can be classified into following five main
groups (Mukherjee, 2004) i.e. technical indicators, agricultural indicators, socio-economic
indicators, institutional indicators and environmental indicators. Technical performance is
investigated by the technical indicators. Agricultural aspects are evaluated by the agricultural
indicators. Socio-economic indicators relate to economic viability, socio viability and
sustainability of the physical environment for irrigation. Institutional indicators measure the
institutional capacity i.e. social capacity of the people and organizations for managing and
sustaining certain system. Environmental indicators are used to measure the environmental
degradations and ecological imbalances. For this study, performance evaluation is carried out
using selected indicators which are described in section 4.2.
It should be mentioned here that there is no agreed universal set of indicators for performance
evaluation of irrigation project. The availability of data and different physical, social and
economic environment influence the selection of indicators (Alam, 2006). However, there are
some indicators, which have been used frequently in different studies. The indicators for the
current study were chosen from various references, which are mentioned during defining
them in section 4.2. The schemes under BADC Innovative Use of Surface Water Project are
not fully developed like FCDI projects or sub-projects implemented by the BWDB and
LGED. So a blend of project implementation and impact indicators could be used. The
selection would essentially examine input, output and impact of the project. The indicators
can be expressed with or without normalization with a target value (Alam, 2006).
28
4.2 Performance Evaluation and Indicators
With a view evaluation the performances of the selected irrigation schemes under this study,
following indicators were used:
i. Irrigated Area Indicator
ii. Crop Production Indicator
iii. Farmer’s Benefit Cost Ratio
iv. Irrigation Charge Indicator
v. Beneficiary Indicator
vi. Irrigation Profitability
4.2.1 Irrigated Area Indicator
The extent area brought under irrigation in a certain scheme is important. Generally every
project has a yearly target to be irrigated. The irrigated area indicator compares area brought
under irrigation with that of the target area set in the project. Innovative Use of Surface Water
Project set a target for irrigated area. Data were collected from 75 farmers and 25 scheme
managers for this study under the 15 selected schemes. This indicator is used for the
assessment of agricultural performance (Zhi, 1989; World Bank 2000; IPTRID-FAO-World
Bank, 2000; Rahman, 2005). Before the implementation of the schemes, all cultivable land
was fallow land of the lack of irrigation during Rabi Season in the study. So, the target and
achieved area was the new potential area of the selected schemes.
Actual area brought under irrigation Irrigated area indicator = (4.1) Target area to be brought under irrigation
4.2.2 Crop Production Indicator
The major goal of an irrigation project is increased amount of crop production. After
implementation of an irrigation scheme it is hoped that yield would be higher than without
project condition. The amount produced in excess of the without project condition is an
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important factor. The crop production indicator compares actual crop production to that of the
target of crop production. Innovative Use of Surface Water Project set a target for crop
production. Data were collected from 75 farmers and 25 scheme managers for this study
under the 15 selected schemes. The crop production is the excess amount of crop produced
compared to a stipulated non-scheme situation. Before the implementation of the schemes, all
cultivable land was fallow land of the lack of irrigation during Rabi Season. So, the target
and achieved yield was the additional yield of the selected schemes.
Crop produced Crop Production Indicator = (4.2)
Target of crop production
The crop production performance indicator (total crop produced per unit area) has been
referred and used on various instances (e. g., World Bank, 2000; Das, 2001; Mukherjee,
2004; Rahman, 2005) which are also used in this study.
4.2.3 Farmers’ Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR)
The output price indicator or output indicator is the price of output per unit cropped area
(Molden et al., 1998; World bank, 2000). Data were collected from 75 farmers and 25
scheme managers for this study under the 15 selected schemes. The value of the output or
production can be calculated in terms of local or world prices. The formed is followed in this
study. Total cost of production is an important factor to the farmers and also to the project to
find out net benefit. The farmers benefit cost ratio is calculated here based on the following
equation.
Gross return from produced crop Farmer’s Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) = (4.3) Total cost of production
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4.2.4 Irrigation Charge Indicator
The Irrigation Charge Indicator also called irrigation fee indicator compares realization of
irrigation charges to the irrigation charge assessed (Svendsen, 1992; World bank 2000; Das,
2001; Rahman, 2005). Data were collected from 75 farmers and 25 scheme managers for this
It is evident from the present study that the scheme manager is operating the system like a
business making profit in selling water to the farmers. The farmers are being deprived under
the current management because they are paying about 3 to 4 times higher irrigation charge
to the scheme managers. No scheme managers share the profit with the farmers. For all
scheme in fact, marginal and poor farmers have no representative in the management
committee or Working Irrigation Committee (WIC). BADC or Upazilla Irrigation Committee
has no control upon the management committee or Working Irrigation Committee (WIC)
regarding fixation of irrigation charge.
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5.3 Results of the Questionnaire Survey
The questionnaire survey included a set of questions (Appendix A) to find out mainly the
farmers view of the project. Some salient points are summarized in the table 5.5. It is obvious
from the survey result that the farmers are getting benefit from the electrified 5 cusec LLPs
schemes because of the utilization of surface water although they expressed concern about
the activities of working irrigation committees. Consequently, activities of WIC executive
including irrigation charge collection from the farmers and its expenditure are not very much
transparent. It appears that in most cases the revenue collected in excess of O&M cost is not
spent for the purpose of the scheme rather it is consumed by the WIC. For this reason, they
are found to impose higher irrigation charges to the farmers to maximize WIC’s own benefit.
This is obvious that larger farmers take the opportunity to maximize benefits. The opinion of
including representatives from the BADC in the working irrigation committees is also
expressed by many of the respondents. This indicates the necessity of establishing formal
water management organization in the schemes.
Table 5.5: Summary of significant factors from questionnaire survey.
Questions Option Response as percentage
Yes 0 Any water logging problem caused by the scheme? No 100 Yes 0 Did the scheme cause reduction of land fertility? No 100 Yes 0 Did the scheme cause the change of employment status? No 100 Yes 0 Did the scheme cause increase of pests and diseases? No 100 Yes 0 Did the scheme hamper fish culture? No 100 Yes 100 Did the irrigation committees from through election? No 0 Yes 46 No 48
Are you satisfied with the activities of the irrigation committees?
Abstention 6 Yes 80 No 20
Should BADC representative be included in the irrigation
committees? Abstention 0
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Questions Option Response as percentage
Yes 35 No 65
Should female representative be included in the irrigation
committees? Abstention 0 Yes 20 No 70
Did you benefit for Demonstration Farm Installation?
Abstention 10 Yes 50 No 20
Is the profit money used for development of schemes?
Abstention 30 Yes 85 Is the per capita income increased for development of schemes? No 15 Yes 0 No 92
Is the profit money distributed among the farmers?
Abstention 8 Yes 75 No 10
Is the profit money consumed by the PIC?
Abstention 15 Yes 100 Are the electrified pumps useful for the schemes? No 0 Yes 100 Are the lined irrigation channels essential for the scheme? No 0 Yes 85 Do you get technical support from BADC? No 15 Yes 75 Are the conflicts resolved by irrigation committees? No 25 Yes 55 No 45
Are the conflicts resolved by irrigation committees with the help of
BADC? Abstention 0 Yes 15 Are the conflicts resolved by the Upazilla Irrigation Committee? No 85
Although environmental indicators were not included in the present study, the results from
the questionnaire survey indicates that due to implementation of the schemes no negative
impact has been observed relating to water logging, increase of pest, diseases and fish
culture.
5.4 Sustainability of 5 cusec LLP schemes of BADC
A sustainable irrigation system is one that will continue to generate agricultural projects at
reasonable costs into the future and ensure that environment is itself maintained so that it can
sustain the communities that depend upon it. Therefore two types of sustainability criteria
would be examined for an irrigation project : economic and financial sustainability (ADB,
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2001; Cullen, 2004) Detailed economic analysis and environmental impact assessment were
not included under the scope of current study but evaluation of some selected indicator values
related to the schemes. Consequently, the sustainability of the IUSWP is discussed here based
on the relevant indicators only.
BADC is responsible for procurement and installation of 5 cusec pumping sets whiles the
responsibilities of operation and security lies with the farmers groups. BADC is responsible
for complete routine repair of the pumps to keep those fully ready for operation before
commencement of the irrigation season. For this, BADC bears the requisite expenses along
with spare parts. The Working Irrigation Committee (WIC) bears the expenses of electric bill
and all other maintenance for operation of pumps during the irrigation season in the field.
From the discussion in the previous sections, it is obvious that the IUSWP provides net
benefit to the farmers. This indicates, within the present arrangement, where primary pumps
are provided by BADC, the project is self-sustaining i.e., O&M cost are recovered by the
revenue earned from the farmers. Again, in the farmers points of view, farming is profitable
business (B/C>1.0 as in Figure 5.4) although the irrigation committees are charging higher
Committees finds their involvement in the project as profitable business.
However, the BADC Innovative Use of Surface Water Project is a highly subsidized project
of the Government of Bangladesh. The pumps were procured by the BADC and the yearly
maintenance works are also carried out by BADC. These expenses were not considered in the
financial indicators discussed in the previous section. The pump rent, if realized, covers only
yearly routine maintenance cost of BADC. The present data shows (Figure 5.4) the farmers
benefit cost ratio is higher than 1.0. This ratio could be increased if formal water users’
organization is formed and the profit of the irrigation committees is minimized. All these
indicate that Innovative Use of Surface Water Project has the potential to be financially
sustainable if only the technical support of BADC is provided it the water users’
organization.
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CHAPTER 6
CONOLUTION AND RECOMMENATIONS
6.1 Conclusions
The performances of 15 selected schemes under Innovative Use of Surface Water Project
(IUSWP) are assessed based on six indicators. The following conclusions can be made from
the present study. From table 6.1,
Table 6.1: Performance of selected schemes during 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10.
Sl. No. Performance Indicators Average value
1. Irrigated Area 0.80
2. Crop Production 0.66
3. Farmers’ Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) 1.30
4. Irrigation Charge 3.73
5. Beneficiary Indicator 0.56
6. Irrigation Profitability Indicator 3.36
• The average irrigated area indicator is 0.80. The lowest value is observed (<0.80) of
irrigated area indicator in the years 2007-08 except Lavo-2 and Poharchada-1, the
highest value is observed (>0.80) of indicator in the year 2008-09 except Kazihata and
the highest value is observed (>0.80) of indicator in the year 2009-10. It is observed
that irrigated area value is the lowest at the starting year of a new project. This may be
due to the delay in starting or mobilizing new project activities.
• The average crop production indicator is 0.66. In the year 2007-08, crop production
indicator values for each scheme are lower than that value (i.e. 0.66) except Lavo-2.
In the year 2008-09, crop production indicator values for each scheme are higher than
or equal to that value except Horinapati, Kazihata, Muktapur, Kendrihaor, Lavlo-2
and Pohorchada-2. In the year 2009-10, crop production indicator values for each
scheme are higher than that value.
• The average farmers’ benefit cost ratio is 1.30. The farmers benefit cost ratio varied
from 1.10 to 1.54 in the schemes. BCR is 1.10 of the Poharchada irrigation scheme-2
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in the year 2008-09 and 1.54 is Kazihata irrigation schemes in the year 2009-10. If the
BCR value is more than 1.0, then the selected schemes will be sustainable.
• The average value of irrigation charge of the selected schemes is 3.73. However, the
working irrigation committee found out that sometimes the farmers held the cash taka
in hand without paying irrigation charge to bear other expenses. If the irrigation
charge indicator is greater than 2.0, then the selected schemes would be sustainable.
• The average value of beneficiary indicator for selected schemes is 0.56.
• The average value of Irrigation Profitability indicator for selected schemes is 3.36.
It is evident from the present study that the scheme managers are operating of working
irrigation committee the system like a business making profit in selling water to the farmers.
But the farmers are being deprived under the current management because they are paying
about 3 to 4 times higher irrigation charge to the scheme manager of the working irrigation
committee. Scheme manager does not share the profit with the farmers. For all scheme in
fact, marginal and poor farmers have no representative in the working irrigation committee.
BADC or Upazilla Irrigation Committee has no control working irrigation committee
regarding fixation of irrigation charge. Therefore, following conclusions have been made
from the results of the present study.
(a) Evaluated the performance of selected 5-cusec LLPs schemes of BADC under the first
phase of the innovative use of surface water project (IUSWP) on the basis of irrigated
irrigation profitability indicators. Experience from operation of 5 cusec LLPs by BADC
found that 5 cusec LLP unit should be limited for single lifting; it is feasible to install 5
cusec LLPs for gravity irrigation. There is no secondary lifting;
(b) Present operation and maintenance policy of the selected 5-cusec LLPs schemes are
found successful. (c) Policy made an opportunity to build up the local leadership at the same time creating
local water lords. (d) Scheme managers found to be more benefited while marginal and poor farmers were
deprived under the management policy. (e) Field level water management in terms of timely water supply found to be improved. (f) Infrastructure development i.e. construction of discharge box and lined irrigation channels
found to be improved.
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6.2 Recommendations
The present study has provided valuable information on the performance of selected 5 cusec
LLPs schemes of BADC including its various indicators i.e. irrigated area, crop production,