
Dhaka, 22 December 2024
Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS), in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and East West University, Dhaka, proudly announces the successful completion of the “National Policy Dialogue on Towards Inclusive Canal Water Management for Resilient Agri-Food System in Coastal Bangladesh.” This significant event took place on 22 December 2024, at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council campus, Dhaka, and brought together key stakeholders from national, provincial, and local actors to deliberate on inclusive canal water management strategies for enhancing agri-food systems in Bangladesh’s coastal regions.
The dialogue is part of the exercises under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) initiative on Asian Mega Delta (AMD) project. The dialogue began with a welcome address by Dr. Mou Rani Sarker from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Dr. Sarker highlighted initiatives to secure the food systems of Asian Mega-Deltas by enhancing climate resilience and promoting sustainable livelihoods. She underscored the need to address policy gaps in food systems and strengthen the capacities of national, provincial, and local actors to develop and implement nature-based, gender-equitable, and inclusive governance frameworks.
Following this, Dr. Fouzia Mannan, Professor at East West University, presented findings on elite control of canal water and its impact on vulnerable groups. She noted that leaseholders convert canals into fish or shrimp farms, restricting access, disrupting flows, and increasing waterlogging. This reduces income for fishers, limits irrigation, and raises crop loss risks. Women face greater workloads, economic losses, and food insecurity as a result. The other presenter, Dr. M. Mokhlesur Rahman emphasized the need for integrated water management policies, noting that current frameworks often lack coordination between water, agriculture, and food systems. He highlighted initiatives like the NGO-led canal rehabilitation in Kultoli, showcasing their potential to restore livelihoods and enhance water security.
The open discussion brought valuable insights from community representatives. Mr. Horidash Haldar, a Union Parishad member from Dhankhali, shared experiences of agricultural water crises caused by canal leasing. Mr. Tridip Kumar Sardar of Kultoli highlighted the benefits of rehabilitating small canal segments in Satkhira, which improved agri-food systems, ecological
habitats, and livelihoods. Government officials, INGOs, NGOs, academics, and researchers actively contributed to the session. Key recommendations included updating canal databases, canceling leases, developing coastal policies, co-creating local knowledge, conducting polder-based agricultural assessments, forming women’s groups, and implementing gender-focused awareness and extension programs.
Ms. Jesmin Ara, Project Director at the Department of Women Affairs, spoke on gender and social inclusion, emphasizing the importance of promoting women’s rights and advancing gender-responsive development in the climate-gender nexus. She called for collaboration across sectors to build inclusive agri-food systems, urging collective efforts over isolated initiatives.
Special guest Mr. Sarker Shafi Uddin Ahmed, Director of the Field Service Wing at the Department of Agricultural Extension, highlighted the need for systematic interventions. He urged authorities to excavate silted canals, cancel exploitative leases, and implement sustainable irrigation systems while addressing encroachments. He also stressed boosting coastal production through crop diversification, hydroponic aquaculture, and increasing women’s involvement in decision-making through women’s groups. Both speakers
Dr. Engr. Jiban Kumar Sarker, Additional Chief Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, emphasized the importance of inclusive, community-led approaches to address climate change impacts in coastal areas. He called for greater collaboration among organizations to support inclusive canal water management.
The dialogue continues with Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, as the Chief Guest. Dr Karim highlighted the severe disruption of agri-food systems due to freshwater scarcity, canal mismanagement, and lease abuse. She urged NARS offices to collaborate on creating a sustainable agri-food system to meet future food demands.
Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Md. Sirajul Islam, Chief of Party at IRRI, who emphasized the importance of policy dialogue for sharing reflections and promoting community-based, participatory canal water management to restore water rights. He highlighted the need to build local capacity for sustainable governance and capitalize on policy dialogue opportunities to drive tangible impacts in agri-food systems. Dr. Islam reaffirmed IRRI’s commitment to partnering with policymakers and NARES to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and equity of Bangladesh’s agri-food sector.
The dialogue provided a critical platform for addressing the dual challenges of anthropogenic pressures and climate change in Bangladesh. It concluded with a collective call to action: prioritize localized, context-specific solutions and amplify marginalized voices to achieve sustainable agri-food systems. Such an approach, supported by community participation and government policies, is essential to building resilience in coastal Bangladesh.
For more information, please contact: Dr. Mou Rani Sarker, Email: mr.sarker@irri.org