Two-day workshop held to prepare for BMDA's Barind project

A two-day-long Barind Project Readiness Workshop has started in Rajshahi, focusing on sustainable agriculture, water management and climate-resilient development in the Barind region.

The workshop locally arranged by Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) began today at Hotel Grand RiverView in the city.

Organized by the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Bangladesh (SAFB), representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and relevant development partners are participating in the workshop.

The workshop is discussing the project's preparation and implementation strategy regarding agricultural production in the Barind region.

Some other key-issues related to surface and groundwater management, irrigation, climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development were also discussed.

Present at the workshop were Director of Institute of Water Modeling (IWM) Gautam Chandra, Principal Natural Resources and Agriculture Economist of ADB Shingo Kimura, Principal Economist Dr. Takashi Yamano and IWM Team Leader Dr. Anil Kumar Das.

BMDA Superintending Engineers Abdul Latif, Zinnurain Khan and Samser Ali, Executive Engineers Harun-or-Rashid, Tarikul Islam, AKM Obaidullah, Syed Zillul Bari and Kazi Ashekur Rahman and Monitoring Officer Ashraful Islam were also present.

The discussion is emphasizing integrated and sustainable initiatives to bring uncultivated land in the Barind region under cultivation, modernize the irrigation system, ensure efficient use of water and increase agricultural productivity.

The organizers said that through this two-day workshop, emphasis will be given on clarifying the preparation, necessity and implementation framework.

Emphasis will also be given on the role of relevant stakeholders of the Barind project, as well as on creating an effective plan for long-term agriculture and water management in the Barind region.