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Fresh Groundwater and Surface Water Investigation for Crop Production in Coastal Saline Areas of Bangladesh-2011

Dr M A Rashid
CSO and Head
IWMD, BRRI

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An investigation was carried out at satkhira to monitoring river water salinity pattern, Investigation of existing (52 – 75 m ) shallow tubewell water salinity status used by the farmers of Satkhira, Investigation of water salinity of deeper aquifer in coastal saline areas and Increasing rice production in saline areas by utilizing coastal water resources. Under this project, salinity of pond water, river water and groundwater was monitored. Steps were also taken to increase rice production in saline areas by utilizing coastal water resources. The field demonstrations were conducted to evaluate the suitability of groundwater utilization for rice production. Investigations were carried out to find out more fresh water at deeper depth (150 m – 180 m).The salinity (EC) of the surface water and groundwater was measured during the whole growing period in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Five ponds were selected for testing water salinity. The study results indicated that only two sources i.e. pond water and groundwater from deeper aquifer are suitable for irrigation purpose in Shyamnagar upazilla of Satkhira district. Field demonstrations showed that there is an excellent scope of increasing rice production during Boro season using less saline groundwater.Rice production in dry season in the coastal saline soil of Bangladesh is a blessing for the coastal area farmers. The newly found less saline groundwater is an achievement of the study. At present farmers are using shallow tubewells for irrigation purpose. It is expected that the farmers will be able to increase rice area in the coming dry seasons by using the less saline groundwater.In the coastal saline zone rice production can be increased remarkably in dry season if fresher groundwater can be found out through proper investigation.Careful water management and appropriate crop combinations will be required to get optimum benefits.

Investigation was also carried out in Joynagar area of Shyamnagar upazilla to monitor water salinity of deeper aquifer and a less saline water-bearing aquifer was found at a depth of 500 – 600 ft (150 – 180 m) from the land surface. It was observed that salinity of the groundwater of this aquifer ranged from 1.70 dS/m to 3.06 dS/m which is suitable for rice irrigation. In Joynagar area farmers are also using groundwater for drinking purpose from a depth of only 30 ft to 35 ft. Salinity of this water ranged from 1.03 dS/m to 2.0 dS/m which is suitable for drinking purpose. There is a thin aquifer of sweet water at a shallow depth. Therefore, only two sources i.e. pond water and groundwater from deeper aquifer (500 – 600 ft) are suitable for irrigation purpose in Shyamnagar Upazilla of Satkhira district. Field demonstrations were conducted in two locations of Munshiganj area during Boro seasons 2011. In 2011, the yield of BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan47 were 5.3, 6.3, and 5.5 t/ha, respectively. So, the highest yield 6.3 t/ha) was obtained from BRRI dhan29. These results showed that there is an excellent scope of increasing rice production during Boro season using less saline groundwater.

Keywords: Coastal zone, Water productivity, Salinity, Fresh groundwater

Location: in Munshiganj area, Satkhira

Start Date: 01-07-2010

End Date: 30-06-2011

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management

Objectives:

Monitoring river water salinity pattern
Investigation of existing (52 – 75 m ) shallow tubewell water salinity status used by the farmers of Satkhira
Investigation of water salinity of deeper aquifer in coastal saline areas
Increasing rice production in saline areas by utilizing coastal water resources.

Methodology:

Under this project, salinity of pond water, river water and groundwater was monitored. Steps were also taken to increase rice production in saline areas by utilizing coastal water resources. The field demonstrations were conducted to evaluate the suitability of groundwater utilization for rice production. Investigations were carried out to find out more fresh water at deeper depth (150 m – 180 m).The salinity (EC) of the surface water and groundwater was measured during the whole growing period in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Five ponds were selected for testing water salinity.

Source of Information: BRRI Annual Review 2011

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Krishi Gobeshona Foundation

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In 2009, the average EC of pond water was below 2 ds/m. But the year 2010 was an exceptional year. Because the last (in May 2009) cyclone "Aila" swept over the area and all ponds were filled with highly saline sea water. As a result, in the next year (2010) the pond water salinity was very high. The salinity ranged from 7.2 dS/m to 10.86 dS/m. The farmers could not grow seedlings (in Munshiganj area) with this saline pond water. In 2011, the EC of pond water varied from 3.1 ds/m to 3.71 ds/m during the growing season (Boro) of rice. It indicates that salinity of pond water is gradually deceasing after the ‘Aila’. In 2011 rainfall started from March and the salinity showed a deceasing trend. The salinity of river water (Maloncho river) was very high and was not suitable for irrigation. The river water salinity ranged from 12.85 ds/m to 20.52 ds/m in 2009, 14.15 ds/m to 16.0 ds/m in 2010, and 14.5 ds/m to 40.0 ds/m in 2011. In different locations of Munshiganj area the average EC of groundwater at depth 200 ft - 250 ft (60 - 75 m) was found to be below 4.33 ds/m ranging from 1.66 ds/m to 5.07 ds/m which is very close to the permissible maximum limit (4 dS/m) of water salinity for irrigation. So, in this area, rice can be grown in Boro season if there is some rainfall during the critical period (March/April) of crop growth. T From the bore log it is showed that there was only fine sand, fine clay and hard clay upto 700 ft depth but suitable aquifer was not found. Investigation was also carried out in Joynagar area of Shyamnagar upazilla. It was observed that salinity of the groundwater of this aquifer ranged from 1.70 dS/m to 3.06 dS/m which is suitable for rice irrigation. In Joynagar area farmers are also using groundwater for drinking purpose from a depth of only 30 ft to 35 ft. Salinity of this water ranged from 1.03 dS/m to 2.0 dS/m which is suitable for drinking purpose. There is a thin aquifer of sweet water at a shallow depth. Therefore, only two sources i.e. pond water and groundwater from deeper aquifer (500 – 600 ft) are suitable for irrigation purpose in Shyamnagar Upazilla of Satkhira district.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings