A Correspondent:
Kurigram: Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, MP yesterday said the canal excavation program would bring a revolutionary change in the country’s water management system.
He said this while speaking at the inauguration of re-excavation work of a canal from Dasherhat Chhara to AC Land office connection point at Araji Palashbari mouza under Holokhana union here, said a min-istry press release.
Mentioning that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had launched the historic canal excavation program in 1977 aiming to increase agricultural production and expand irrigation facilities, he said “The program had brought a revolution. As a result, Bangladesh exported rice for the first time.”
He said BNP has relaunched the canal excavation program to fulfil the dream of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.
“About 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals and water reservoirs will be excavated over the next five years, which may bring a revolutionary change in the country’s water management,” he added.
Noting that impact of the canal excavation program is multidimensional, Dulu said “Firstly, agricultural productivity can be increased through modern irrigation technology. If irrigation facilities are improved using preserved water, farmers’ costs will decrease and crop production will rise significantly.”
Secondly, he said, if canals retain water throughout the year, opportunities will be created for multidi-mensional rural economic activities, including fish farming and duck rearing.
“This will create new employment opportunities for rural youths,” he added.
Thirdly, he said, re-excavation of canals would play an effective role in tackling floods and waterlog-ging.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath, officials of the district administration, political leaders and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
The canal excavation program is being implemented with allocations from the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP).
