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Sustainable Groundwater Utilization for Crop Production in Rajshahi District (2017-2018)

R. P. Rannu
Irrigation and Water Management Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh

S. K. Biswas
Irrigation and Water Management Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh

A. Khatun
Irrigation and Water Management Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh

K. F. I. Murad
Irrigation and Water Management Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh

A. Quashem
Irrigation and Water Management Division, BARI, Garizpur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted in nine upazilas of Rajshahi district for the sustainable groundwater use for crop production. Monthly water table data, data for irrigated crops, irrigated area, wetted area and meteorological data have been collected from Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). After collecting all relevant data, water table dynamics were analyzed with a model named “MAKESENS” and in excel. Results showed that groundwater abstraction is increased as irrigated area increased. Less abstraction from the surface due to limited water sources and uneven rainfall distribution increased the withdrawal of irrigation water from groundwater for crop production especially in dry period. Long term trend of water table depth indicates that water level is decreased with time significantly in almost all upazilas and going to below threshold level in the last few years for some upazilas. Future predictions based on the present declining trend demonstrates that if this abstraction is continued then groundwater level will go below threshold level as well as suction limit of shallow tube wells in most upazilas. Then withdrawing groundwater in this way will not be sustainable at all. So, some effective measures will be needed to develop in the next year and adopted to avoid over exploitation and consequently to promote the sustainable use of groundwater for crop production.

Keywords: Water availability, Groundwater, Dry season, Irrigated crops, Boro crops

Location: Rajshahi district, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2014

End Date: 00-00-2017

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Groundwater, Water management

Objectives:

To know the water table dynamics and trend of water table, crop water availability and need to optimize use of groundwater for the target area.

Methodology:

Study area:

The study is being conducted in the Rajshahi district which is one of the drought prone areas of northwest region in Bangladesh. There are nine upazilas named Baghmara, Bagha, Tanore, Godagari, Poba, Charghat, Durgapur, Mohonpur and Puthia in this district.

The elevation of this district is 23 m from mean sea level. The average maximum temperature of this area is noticeably higher in summer (35^oC) and the average minimum temperature is lower in winter (10^oC) than that of national average. The annual average rainfall is 1400 mm to 1900 mm (Shahid, 2010a).

Data collection and analysis:

Monthly groundwater table data for the years of 1995 -2017, data for irrigated crops, irrigated area for the years of 2014-2017, number of wetted area and depth of wetted area have been collected from Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). Meteorological data have been collected from Rajshahi weather station and some are collected from Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Static water resources availability for irrigation during dry season was estimated by estimating surface area of standing water resources (haors, baors, beels, ponds etc.) and its depth. Data were analyzed using MAKESENS model and in excel to see how increasing irrigated area especially Boro crop put impact on water abstraction and how groundwater table shifted from 1995 to the latest (2017) year.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2017-2018, Irrigation and Water Management Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Irrigated area has increased, and groundwater contributed large portion of water for irrigation. Consequently, higher water abstraction occurred and resulted declination of water level with time significantly in almost all upazilas of Rajshahi district. In addition, water level dropped below threshold level. Long term predictions projected more declination of water table and indicated water level will go below suction limit of some shallow tube wells in some cases. On the other hand, uneven distribution of rainfall could not recharge groundwater in every month of the year. These factors indicate withdrawal of groundwater is not sustainable at all. So, effective measures can be adopted to avoid over exploitation and to promote the sustainable use of groundwater for crop production. Some effective options will be developed in this regard in next year.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings