Performance evaluation of selected surface water irrigation schemes of BADC

Abstract

Irrigation by Low Lift Pumps has been practiced in Bangladesh since 1961-62 through Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). But irrigation by 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps has been practiced in Bangladesh since 1987-88. 100 nos. of 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps brought in Bangladesh to remove the water logging of Dhaka city during the flood of 1988. This water logging programme implemented by BADC. After completion of this programme, this 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps has been experimentally installed in the field for irrigation during 1988-89. Until 1990-91 the responsibility of commissioning, operation and maintence of pumping unit including construction of channels lined with BADC. Subsequently, the beneficiary’s participation was encouraged and responsibilities of operation and maintenance of pumping unit and construction of field channels were transferred to farmers group. BADC looks after seasonal maintenance and provided necessary mechanic and operator services. It also monitors the performance of schemes. Working Irrigation Committee (WIC) pay service charges for 5 cusec Low Lift Pumps. This study has been under taken to evaluate the performance of selected 5-cusec LLPs schemes. A case study was also carried out on fifteen selected schemes at the field level. Analysis of the schemes has been performed using several indicators considering irrigated area, crop production, farmer’s benefit cost ratio, irrigation charge, beneficiary and irrigation profitability aspects. Data were collected by the primary and secondary sources. But in our study, all data were collected by the primary sources except target values. Data relating to the selected schemes and 5 cusec pumping sets under Innovative Use of Surface Project were collected for the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 from the field offices and by planned field visits. Questionnaire surveys were carried out to know mainly the farmers’ view from 75 farmers and 25 scheme managers for this study under the 15 selected schemes on the fifteen selected schemes for this study. The average irrigated area indicator is 0.80, crop production indicator is 0.66, farmer’s benefit cost ratio (BCR) is 1.30, irrigation charge indicator is 3.73, beneficiary indicator is 0.56, and irrigation profitability indicator is 3.36. The irrigated area indicator, crop production indicator and farmers’ benefit cost ratio during the study period were satisfactory. Better maintenance of earthen channels and some seepage reduction works along the bank may be the reasons behind this also. Training of additional personnel and improved WIC activities helped them to achieve the better performance. It is evident from the present study that the scheme manager is operating the system like a business making profit in selling water to the farmers. The farmers are being deprived under the current management because they are paying about 3 to 4 times higher irrigation charge to the scheme managers. No scheme managers share the profit with the farmers. For all scheme in fact, marginal and poor farmers have no representative in the management committee or Working Irrigation Committee (WIC). BADC or Upazilla Irrigation Committee has no control upon the management committee or Working Irrigation Committee (WIC) regarding fixation of irrigation charge. A detailed study on technical and economical analysis could be carried out to examine the possibility of implementing more LLPs schemes in other parts of the country with new LLPs where beneficiaries would repay the cost of the pumps during the project life. Management policy can be changed or improved to save the marginal and poor farmers from the water lords.