Over 15 lakh families benefit from BMDA in northwest region
The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has emerged as a key driver of agricultural and environmental transformation in northern Bangladesh, with more than 15 lakh families now benefiting from its activities across 16 districts in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. Farmers and officials say the BMDA has played a crucial role in linking people, land and water resources, helping turn once drought-prone Barind areas into productive agricultural zones.
Md Mamun Sarkar, a resident of Kadamshahar village in Godagari upazila, said BMDA has proven its efficiency through practical work. "Water development work done by BMDA is reliable. We have seen this institution transform barren land into greenery through its experience and hands-on approach," he said. Abdul Awal, 60, from Nachole upazila of Chapainawabganj, said BMDA water supports daily life and farming.
"From morning to night, we depend on BMDA water for drinking, agriculture and other uses. If canal excavation and irrigation are entrusted to them, agricultural production will increase further," he said. Abdul Jabbar, 70, from Sapahar upazila in Naogaon, credited the late BMDA chairman and executive director Dr M Asaduzzaman for pioneering agricultural development in the region. "If BMDA had not been established, Bangladesh would have lagged behind in food production," he said, adding that the once arid Chapainawabganj district is now a major grain-producing area.
BMDA began its work in the Barind region in 1985 and was formally established under the Ministry of Agriculture in 1991-92. Since then, it has implemented a wide range of initiatives, including irrigation expansion, road construction, drinking water supply and renewable energy use. According to BMDA data, 1,639 force mode pumps have been installed in Chapainawabganj alone, enabling irrigation in areas that previously supported only one crop annually. Around 62,000 hectares of land now produce up to three crops per year, benefiting about 132,000 farming families.
In addition, 88 low-lift pumps have been installed on rivers and canals, including the Mahananda and Punarbhaba rivers, irrigating around 3,000 hectares annually and supporting nearly 12,000 families. Under BMDA irrigation systems, approximately 650,000 metric tonnes of crops are produced each year, with an estimated market value of Tk 1,625 crore.
