Poverty alleviation through improved water management in a deltaic tidal plain

Abstract

The southwest region of Bangladesh that represents about 27 per cent (40,450 sq. km) of the total area of the country is crisscrossed by large tidal rivers. A large number of Tidal Basins, which are flat, low-lying alluvial lands interspersed with tidal streams and water-filled depressions are found in this region. Though affected by water management problems like flood, drought, drainage congestion and salinity intrusion, the southwest area of Bangladesh is still very much dependent on agricultural crops, particularly rice, as the main source of income and livelihood for its rural population. The region is among the highest poverty-stricken parts of the country. Improved water management (irrigation, flood control, drainage improvement and salinity intrusion control) is the key to agricultural productivity improvement and have a positive impact on the poor. The objectives of this research work were establishment of linkages between water management interventions and poverty, assessment of impact of water management interventions on poverty and selection of suitable water management options for further alleviation of poverty in the tidal basin. Linkage between water management interventions were established through focus group discussions (FGDs) of the stakeholders. Impact of water management interventions on poverty were assessed through household survey. For selection of options for further poverty alleviation, water resources demand and availability were assessed analytically. The feasibility of different water management options for productivity increase was evaluated. Finally, the selected options were prioritized by the stakeholders through focus group discussions. Study results of linkage analysis showed that in most cases water management interventions increase the income from agriculture by increasing crop yield and cropping intensity, by encouraging fish culture, commercial agriculture (orchard, betel leaf plantation etc.) and livestock rearing. They also generate employment opportunities for the resource poor. Combination of necessary agricultural water management interventions reduces poverty at different level. Study results on impacts of different water management options showed a reduction in poverty incidence by 10.0, 6.7, 6.7 and 6.7 percent, respectively due to the presence of irrigation, flood control, drainage improvement and salinity intrusion control interventions. The benefits of irrigation, flood control and drainage on poverty alleviation are additive when implementation is feasible. Flood control, drainage and irrigation (FCDI) projects had the highest impact on poverty alleviation compared to any other water management interventions. Besides, these interventions, further poverty alleviation is possible through efficient use of available water resources. Canal rehabilitation for increasing surface water availability with promotion of conjunctive use, use of polyethylene pipe instead of earthen canal, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) instead of keeping continuous standing water and shifting from traditional Aus (pre-monsoon) rice varieties to supplementary irrigated HYV rice varieties are some of the ways for increasing productivity and alleviation of poverty. Conjunctive use after rehabilitation of existing canals could increase the present irrigation coverage by 70% and reduce the present overexploited groundwater use by 57%. Use of plastic pipe and polyethylene pipe could reduce the conveyance loss from 30% to around 5%. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation method can save around 25% of irrigation water or fuel consumption cost compared to the conventional practice of continuous standing water. An analysis of prioritization of the water management options by the stakeholders showed that conjunctive use of water after canal rehabilitation was considered as the top priority for productivity improvement of the study area. Moreover, compared to the other water management options, which are farmer-based with limited potential, conjunctive use is system-based and would have impact on poverty alleviation over the whole project.