Study of floating pump irrigation in Bangladesh

Abstract

Irrigation by floating pumps has been practiced in Bangladesh since 1961-62. A pilot project comprising twenty-six floating pump was taken up in 1988-89. Until 1990-91 the responsibilities of commissioning, operation and maintenance of pumping unit including construction of channel upto secondary level lied with Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). Farmers was charged a specific water rate per unit area. Subsequently, the beneficiaries participation were encouraged and the 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 moni tors the performances of schemes. Farmers group pay service charges for floating pumps. This study has been undertaken to conduct a time series analysis of the performance parameters and assess the impact of change in management. A case study was also . carried out on six selected schemes to get an insight into the operation and maintenance issues at the field level. Four parameters namely area irrigated, irrigation cost, number of farmers benefitted, and yield have been chosen to assess the impact. The time series analysis indicated that the area irrigated per unit of discharge increased by 92% and the irrigation cost per hectare decreased by 12% due to change in management. Under the changed management noating pumps were operated by the scheme managers who tried to maximize the use of facilities. The total number of direct beneficiaries were found to be increase but the number of farmers benefitted per hectare was decreased by 9%. This is because the same farmers increased this irrigated area under changed management. The yield was found to be increased by 9% which may be attributed to improved water management. The results of case study indicated that the two tier i.e. Central Level and Block Level management systems exists in each of the six schemes. So, the overall management of scheme was shared by two levels. It improved the services to the farmers. However, the farmers have been reported to be deprived because they had to pay 2 to 4 times higher irrigation charges to scheme managers. Profit is shared among the members of Central Management Committee resulting in the emergence of local level waterlords.