ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Field surveys were carried out to understand the development of groundwater irrigation and its impacts on crop-economy and rural livelihoods in the Gangetic Plain of Bangladesh. The study covering five villages revealed that the aquifer characteristics and the surface watergroundwater relationship are favourable for the development of groundwater in the area. Here, like elsewhere in Bangladesh, evolution of minor irrigation led to the expansion of groundwater markets. However, the average cropping intensity in the area is lower than the country’s average. Supply of energy in terms of electricity and diesel fuel plays an important role in the steady expansion of irrigated agriculture. The total cost for a shallow tube well run by diesel motive power is almost twice that for electric motive power. There are great prospects for the efficient use of the water resources, while the problems are associated with the energy-irrigation issue and inefficient management. The irrigation water market should be geared towards poverty alleviation through proper agricultural, credit, subsidies and energy support policies.
