National policy dialogue addresses water management challenges in Bangladesh's coastal polders

Coastal polders in Bangladesh, critical to food security and the livelihoods of millions, face significant water management challenges exacerbated by climate change. To address these issues, a National Policy Dialogue titled "Water Management Challenges in Coastal Polders of Bangladesh: Rethinking Institutions and Policies" was held at the BARC conference room in Dhaka.

The event aimed to disseminate findings from field studies in Polder 34/2P and 43/2, engage stakeholders in addressing these pressing challenges, and advocate for institutional reforms to ensure sustainable water resource management and resilient agrifood systems.

Organized under the CGIAR Initiative on Asian Mega Deltas (AMD) by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in collaboration with the IDSS Institute of United International University, the dialogue convened 50 representatives, including officials from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), CIMMYT, and CIP, alongside farmers and other stakeholders.

Polders, designed as large catchments protected by dikes and sluice gates, are vital for agriculture in southern Bangladesh. However, inadequate resources and institutional coordination have hampered the operational capacity of BWDB, leading to challenges in water management and agricultural productivity. The lack of support for Water Management Groups (WMGs), mandated under BWDB, further exacerbates the situation.

Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of BARC and Chief Guest, emphasized the need for assessing polder-specific conditions to empower relevant agencies like DAE and the Department of Fisheries (DoF) to lead sustainable agricultural efforts.

Dr. Humnath Bhandari, IRRI Representative to Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Policy Dialogue, stated, "Agriculture in coastal areas requires effective water management to enhance productivity and resilience. Empowering community-level water management groups and ensuring inter-agency coordination are crucial."

Md. Zohirul Islam, Additional Director General of BWDB, highlighted the need for participatory water management, suggesting increased collaboration between government agencies.

In his keynote, Dr. Ahmad Salahuddin, Scientist at IRRI, advocated for institutional reforms, proposing that water management organizations, driven by farmers, should lead efforts with active support from local government agencies.

Farmer Abu Bakkar Siddiq from Amtali voiced concerns about the impacts of climate change, stating that traditional water management methods cannot address current challenges, such as water shortages during dry seasons and waterlogging during rainy seasons.

The dialogue underscored the importance of empowering Water Management Organizations through enhanced resources, leadership, and policy support. It concluded with a commitment to a coordinated, multi-agency approach, integrating efforts from BWDB, DAE, DoF, and BADC to prioritize agriculture and ensure sustainable water management in Bangladesh's coastal regions.