Scheme to improve livelihood of farm families in four dists

The project titled Integrated Area Development Project (IADP) is being executed in Pirojpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts at a cost of Tk 75.41cr. A grant amounting to Tk 46.45cr from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is also included in the total cost, official sources said.

Under the project each group of farmers will receive target-oriented training on improved production technology, quality control, storage and preservation of quality seeds and use of credit in a proper way.

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The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), selected Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and different commercial banks have been implementing the project.

Project implementation wing (PIW) of the DAE will set up two offices at two district headquarters and 12 training centres at upazila level for better execution of the project.

Selected NGOs will form 4,000 small farmer groups (SFGs) and 4,000 marginal and landless groups (MLGs) under the IADP. Each group will consist of 20 members.

The LGED will construct 60-kilometre irrigation canal in the project areas and the banks will provide credit for purchasing irrigation equipment for the SFGs under the project.

Besides, the LGED will build or upgrade 40 markets and 10 landing places to improve input supply and marketing of produce in the project sites.

A total of 540 metres of bridges and culverts will be constructed for easy transportation of agriculture products in any weather condition.

One thousand low-lift pumps and 300 power pumps will be installed at the project sites for irrigation so that agricultural cultivation can be carried out extensively throughout the year, especially during the winter season.

Meanwhile, preliminary and engineering works on the project have already been completed and the rest have been progressing fast.

Development of some markets, 30-kilometre irrigation canal and construction of 250 metres of bridges and culverts are underway.