1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Establishing National Land Use and Land Degradation Profile toward Mainstreaming SLM Practices in Sector Policies (ENALULDEP/SLM)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Department of Environment (DoE) - Bangladesh

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The technology promotes the lifting of river water by pump sets and conveys the water through buried pipelines to a canal. The conserved canal water is used for irrigation delivered by low lift pumps (LLP). Because water is held in the canal it revitalises the ecosystem along its length. Furthermore, using river water for irrigation avoids dangers associated with groundwater depletion.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The project is sited at Sharmongla under Godagari Upazilla of Rajshahi district. The Sharmongla canal is located about 3.5 km away from the Padma river. Its total length is 29.0 km. Under this technology, water is lifted from the Padma river by pumps set on a pontoon. The lifted water is then discharged to a canal through underground pipelines. The water so discharged is lifted to the crop fields (delivery points) for irrigation. The elevation difference between the delivery points and the sourcing river is about 21 m. There are numbers of submerged weirs/dams constructed across the canal at different locations for conserving water: the water then helps regenerate the ecosystem along its banks and enriches the habitat.
Pontoon at a glance:
•Year of construction: 2004
•No. of centrifugal pumps at pontoon: 12
•Pump capacity: 50 m lifting height.
•Power of each pump: 60 HP
•Capacity of each pump: 2.5 cusec
•Total capacity of pump sets: 30 cusec
•Capacity of electric sub-station: 750 KW
•No. of discharge pipelines: 12

Sharmongla canal at a glance:
•Length of the canal: 29 km
•Average width of the canal: 15 m
•Average depth from ground level: 5 m
•No. of submerged weirs and dams within the canal: 14
•No. of LLP (low lift pump): 27 electrified and 6 solar pumps
•Total irrigated area: 1850 ha
•Benefiting farmers: 5330
•Harvest yield of rice per year: 20,500 metric tonnes (approx.)
•Afforestation on the canal bank: 65,500 trees

Purposes/objectives of the technology:
•The main purpose of the said technology is to provide water for irrigation. This prevents abstracting of groundwater, which has adverse effects on the environment: therefore this system is environment friendly.
• Enhancing groundwater recharge thereby supports ecosystem function.
•The storing of river water in irrigation canals supports the enrichment of the habitat.

Approach for implementing the technology:
There was no irrigation facility for crop production in this drought-prone area. Government officials came to the locality, discussed with the local community, elites, as well as the farmers. Finally, the local community was convinced about the technology. Then the irrigation system could be implemented in the area. On seeing the success of the technology, the same has been replicated on approx. 9400 ha. in Barind area, benefitting approx. 32,200 farmers.

Maintenance of the technology:
In case of problems, the respective mechanic of that area informs the Assistant Engineer through the Sub-Assistant Engineer. Thus the problem is solved by their own initiative. It is also monitored by the Executive Engineer of the respective District, and finally by the Executive Director from the headquarters if needed.

Crop cultivation:
Due to the application of the technology, previously fallow land has come under cultivation/irrigation facilities, mono-cropped land has been converted into multi-cropped land. Different crops, like rice, wheat, maize, mustard, pulses, potato, tomato, spices and other vegetables are cultivated.

Farmers’ acceptance:
The technology has been well accepted by the farmers, as uncultivated land has been brought under cultivation and different crops are now being cultivated year-round.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The following project were providing the irrigation facilities in Barind region:
i) SEMP - Sustainable Environment Mgt. Project
ii) RWCP - Rain Water Conservation Project
iii) EIBA – Extension of Irrigation in Barind area through conservation water in canal

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Ja

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Ja

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

There are two stages of harvesting water.
1 - from river water, which is not going directly to the field
2- water reserved in canals and supplied to the field
Para S10 - refers to saving conventional electricity by using solar power for distribution of water to fields

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Barind was driest part of Bangladesh. It was enhanced when groundwater abstraction increased to support cropping by irrigation. The reduction of the groundwater table enhanced the dry out of dug wells, which supported domestic consumption. Hence, aridification was prominent in the area. It is reported that after the application of this technology, there are indications of recharging of the groundwater. Due to the increase in vegetation, the local temperature tends to be cooler than before.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

This technology helps reducing land degradation through using river water rather than groundwater for irrigation, thereby
preventing land degradation through increasing the vegetation cover on land.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

BDT

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

85.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Pontoon construction and installation on the river	60 days
2.	Pumps installation on the pontoon	30 days
3.	Construction of underground water distribution line	70 days
4.	Re-excavation of derelict canal	120 days
5.	Construction of submerged weir / dam	180 days
6.	LLP installation at the canal bank (27 nos)	150 days
7.	Solar pump installation (06 nos)	45 days
8.	Pre-paid meter installation at pump sites to collect irrigation charges (33 nos)	30 days
9.	Buried pipe line construction for irrigation at crop land sites	120 days

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Construction material	Pontoon construction and installation on the river	1	1.0	5000000.0	5000000.0
Construction material	Construction of underground water distribution line	1	1.0	27800000.0	27800000.0
Construction material	Construction of submerged weir / dam	1	14.0	1600000.0	22400000.0
Construction material	Re-excavation of derelict canal	1	1.0	29000000.0	29000000.0
Other	Pre-paid meter installation at pump sites to collect irrigation charges	1	33.0	243000.0	8019000.0
Other	Solar pump installation	1	6.0	2000000.0	12000000.0
Other	LLP installation at the canal bank (27 nos)	1	8.0	2700000.0	21600000.0
Other	Pumps installation on the pontoon	1	12.0	1833000.0	21996000.0
Other	Buried pipe line construction for irrigation at crop land sites	1	1.0	23100000.0	23100000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					170915000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					2010764.71

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

1439.02

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

none

Comments:

Labor costs etc all included in construction, pipeline installation etc.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Pontoon repair and maintenance	1/5years
2.	Pump repair and maintenance	As per requirement, 1/yr
3.	Distribution line maintenance	As per requirement, 1/yr
4.	Power station repair and maintenance	As per requirement, 1/yr
5.	Submerged weir / dam repair and maintenance	1/5yrs
6.	LLP repair and maintenance	2/yr or as and when necessary
7.	Buried pipe line repair and maintenance	1/6yrs, as and when necessary
8.	Prepaid meter repair	2-3/yr

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Equipment	Prepaid meter repair	1	0.2	100000.0	20000.0
Construction material	Buried pipe line repair and maintenance	1	1.0	0.05	0.05
Other	Pontoon repair and maintenance	1	1.0	500000.0	500000.0
Other	Pump repair and maintenance (each)	1	1.0	20000.0	20000.0
Other	Distribution line maintenance	1	1.0	75000.0	75000.0
Other	Power station repair and maintenance	1	1.0	50000.0	50000.0
Other	Submerged weir / dam repair and maintenance (each)	1	1.0	200000.0	200000.0
Other	LLP repair and maintenance (each)	1	1.0	50000.0	50000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					915000.05
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					10764.71

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

11.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Land users share their participation in kinds and allowing installation of pipelines and other infrastructure

Comments:

Land users were trained and they provided land for infrastructures. For example space for outlets and underground pipe installation. Practically they did not contribute any cash.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Pontoon construction, power supply and lining of the underground piping system.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

High Barind tract, mainly dissected (Closely & Broadly) terrace, soil pH is acidic, low in Nitrogen content, low CEC

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Area is above flood level

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• leased

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Ja

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

In all a desert like Barind tract become green now.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		decrease	very well
seasonal temperature	summer	decrease	very well
annual rainfall		increase	well
seasonal rainfall	summer	increase	not known

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

It could rather to explain as the beneficiaries of the technology. Truly a single land user or a group of land user will not able to install this type of system for multiple reasons. There are two components of this technology, one is the government institution who provided the scope of using surface water for irrigation and the second one are the land user who use the scope or facilities of irrigation system Here about 1800 farmers are involved to use surface water as their irrigation source.

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

Comments:

Most of the farmers of the area who has land adopted surface water for irrigation instead of ground water abstraction.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Ja

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• labour availability (e.g. due to migration)

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

where there are no canal for water storage , local ponds are used to reserve the surface water to irrigate land surrounding the pods and obviously where river water could not be reached.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Ensured crop production through irrigation
Reduced ground water irrigation and decrease ground water depletion.
Increased work facility at project area

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improved socio-economic condition of beneficiaries
Increased ground water recharge
Increased fish cultivation and duck farming at the canal

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Scope of individual level implementation is very limited	Community approach will facilitate the SLM implementation etc.
Maintenance, distribution and regulation of water etc have no control of the beneficiaries	Capacity of the beneficiaries to be developed

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Source of lifting water points may be shifted in the long run	Efficiencies of irrigation water supply need more attention with demand and supply.
Weak linkage with beneficiaries	Integrated approach needed to include community and implementing agencies.
Crops with high water demand may not sustain in the long run	Appropriate crop and cropping patterns are to be adopted with crop zoning
Increasing cropping intensity leads to deficiency of soil nutrients	Monitoring of soil health essential for this region.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Project documents

Available from where? Costs?

Available in BMDA

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Questionnaires on Tecnologies (QT)

URL:

www.wocat.net

Title/ description:

Sustainable land management (SLM)

URL:

https://knowledge.unccd.int/topics/sustainable-land-management-slm

Title/ description:

Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality at the country level

URL:

https://knowledge.unccd.int/topics/land-degradation-neutrality

7.4 General comments

Excellent