Agricultural Drought in Bangladesh - Monitoring and Predicting Agricultural Drought: A Global Study - page 321

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Table 24.3 Area under irrigation in Bangladesh

Irrigated area in different years (1000 ha)

Irr igation source 1984-85 1989-90 1994-95 1999-2000

Groundwater
Shallow tube well (STW) 586 1037 1638 2252

Deep tube well (DTW) 287 384 502 465

Manual 16 16 25 65

Subtotal for groundwater 889 1437 2165 2782

Su rface water
Low lift pumps 351 484 538 624

Canals 147 176 352 424

Traditional 384 478 250 202

Subtotal for surface water 882 1138 1140 1250

Total irrigation 1771 2576 3305 4032

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Source: MOF (2000).

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C onclusions
Drought affects agriculture of Bangladesh frequently. It is possible to avoid
crop loss by identifying the drought-affected areas, through systematic
monitoring, and motivating the farmers to take countermeasures by pro-
viding timely and adequate irrigation in the affected areas. Unfortunately,
despite having the technological capacity, drought monitoring has not been
given due emphasis as yet. The existing capacity needs to be enhanced
through appropriate planning, and it should be brought under a proper
institutional framework. Concerted efforts of all the major stakeholders
will enable the country to take appropriate measures for drought moni-
toring and management and save the poverty-stricken farmers from losing
harvest, thus seriously affecting their livelihood.

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AC KNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Zahurul Karim, former Secretary to the Ministry
of Fisheries and Livestock, for kindly reviewing the manuscript and providing
va luable suggestions. We are indebted to Ghulam Hussain of Bangladesh Agricul-
tu re Research Council for his continued encouragement and for providing drought
m aps. Acknowledgment is also due to Salima Sultana, Department of Geography
at Auburn University, for encouragement and support.

References
Ah mad, Q.K., and A.U. Ahmed (eds.). 2002. Bangladesh: Citizen's Perspectives on
Sustainable Development. Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad, Dhaka.
Ah mad, Q.K., N. Ahmad, and K.B.S. Rasheed (eds.). 1994. Resources, Environ-
ment and Development in Bangladesh With Particular Reference to the
Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Basins. Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad and Aca-
demic Publishers, Dhaka.
BRRI. 1999. BRRI Annual Report. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Ministry
of Agriculture, Joydebpur, Bangladesh.