Abstract:
To get an immediate impact on the food-grain self-sufficiency, the Government of Bangladesh took initiative in implementing Small Scale Water development projects to get quick benefit at least cost. This strategy helped to develop some potential area for agriculture on a priority basis. It was also aimed to take the benefits of development works in a distributive way to the
target group of popu1ation(Landless and Marginal farmers group). Following the
concept, a large number of small scale projects have already been completed and
many are sti 11 now being implemented by BWDB. Three such projects which are
already in operation have been chosen for the present study to visualise the
level of their performance. These are Mashajan-Lauhajong project, Polder 65/A-
3 project, Mondakini Khal irrigation project.
The study reveals that Mondakini khal irrigation project is
a successful one. It is being maintained as and when needed. It was evaluated
well after its completion. The study reveals clearly its success in respect of
different aspects of national development through increased agricultural
production and also through socio-economic well-being. Mashajan-Lauhajong project
is an incomplete one and Polder 65/A-3 project is in serious state of disrepair;
but the result of this study shows their potentiality in obtaining the desired
goal if rehabilitated properly. The study reveals the need for completing the
excavat ion of the dra inage cana 1s upto the des ign requ irement in Mashajan-
Lauhajong project and raising of embankment he ight by another meter with
reconstruction of breached portions of embankment in Polder 65/A-3 project for
their proper functioning.
It is found from the present study that Mondakini Khal
Irrigation Project, which is a completed and reasonably maintained BWDB Small
Scale Project, has helped increase agricultural production to achieve selfsufficiency
in food-grain. It is felt that rehabilitation work need to be carried
out for projects having serious complaints of incompleteness and disrepair like
Mashajan-Lauhajong Project and Polder 65/A-3 Project. It is also felt that
comp 1eted projects should be supported with adequate ma intenance fund and
fostered by a local project maintenance committee formed of the members from
the beneficiaries and backed by Bangladesh Water Development Board. This aspect
should be given due importance in all projects. An implemented project should
also be backed by farm support measures to attain increased agricultural
productivity. This also deserves due attention for getting optimum benefit from
any such project.
