Bangladesh: Irrigation Management Improvement Project - Additional Financing

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Irrigation

The primary sources of water in Bangladesh are local rainfall and transboundary inflows, derived mainly from the Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Meghna rivers. Bangladesh occupies only 8% of the total catchment area of these rivers and is located at their downstream end. The result is an abundant excess of surface water during the summer monsoon months and water shortfalls during the winter dry months. Despite being scarce, water is not well-managed. Minimal attention is given to water use efficiency and equitable allocation. Many farmers rely on groundwater to supplement the limited and irregular surface water supplies. However, in many areas, the use of groundwater is significantly constrained by arsenic contamination and aquifer limitations. Consequently, the minimum flows required to meet total dry season demands are less than what is available from surface and groundwater. The performance of irrigation schemes will be further aggravated by the impact of climate change for which changes in temperature and rainfall patterns will modify crop irrigation requirements and river hydrologic regimes.

Although agriculture's share of gross domestic product has declined, it is still the primary economic sector in rural areas and provides more than 60% of rural employment in Bangladesh. Women constitute 50% of the labor force in the agriculture sector but, because of the informal nature of work and cultural barriers, paid employment opportunities in the sector are still low for women. Irrigated agriculture productivity remains low, which is the result of unreliable irrigation supply; inadequate agriculture extension services; and poor access to farm inputs, markets, and agricultural credit services. The lack of efficient and sustainable MOM continues to impact the productivity of large irrigation schemes. Other factors include inadequate government financing for maintenance, lack of beneficiary empowerment and engagement in MOM, and limited capacity of public agencies resulting in weak service delivery.

Irrigation management and agriculture support services improved

Irrigation system infrastructure rehabilitated and modernized.

Partially achieved. Construction workers comprising 5% women and 20% poor and socially excluded people could not be reached.

Partially achieved. 373 km of canals have been re-excavated against the targeted 460 km and 17.75 km of coastal embankment have been rehabilitated against targeted 23 km.

Partially achieved. One barrage was rehabilitated. 81 lift pumps including with prepaid meters have been installed.

Not yet started

2,072 farmers were trained among them 363 were Female (17.50%)

Partially achieved. 65 schemes are fully operational and another 16 will be operational very soon.

gAll procurement of goods, works, and consultants financed by the ADB loan were carried out in accordance with the ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2015, as amended from time to time) and Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time). All civil works packages and consultancy packages have been awarded in the ongoing loan. Some contract amendments are under preparation and will be included in the ongoing civil works and consulting contracts.

ADB's Anticorruption Policy (1998, as amended to date) was explained to and discussed with the government and BWDB. The specific policy requirements and supplementary measures are described in the PAM.