In the parched fields of north-west Bangladesh, farmers in the Barind region are struggling as their wells run dry. The aquifers that once transformed this arid region into a productive agricultural belt are now collapsing under the pressure of climate change, erratic rainfall, and decades of intensive extraction. Recent studies show that more than 82% of the region is under serious water stress.
Ataur Rahman, a 48-year-old farmer, notes, "We have to place pipes deeper underground than before. Even after going deeper, we still don’t get water like we used to." The crisis has led to more expensive and less reliable irrigation, causing widespread fear and competition for water resources.
Last year, the Bangladesh government banned groundwater extraction for irrigation across nearly 5,000 villages, allowing its use only for drinking. Although the ban was lifted for two years in January, many farmers fear it is a temporary reprieve in a deepening crisis. Mohammad Shamsudduha, a professor researching Bangladesh’s groundwater crisis, warns that implementing bans without viable alternatives could trigger a serious humanitarian and economic crisis.
The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority has installed about 18,000 deep tube wells since the 1980s, significantly increasing crop yields. However, this has also intensified dependence on groundwater, particularly for water-intensive boro rice cultivation. Farmers like Rahman face a dilemma: without irrigation, crops fail, but continued extraction threatens the future of farming.
For women in Barind, the groundwater crisis has added to their already heavy workload. Sreemoti Shobdorani, a 40-year-old farmer, says, "One hour of irrigation water used to cost 90 taka [55p]. Now it costs 120. Fertiliser prices have increased. Labour costs have increased. But crop production has gone down."
Efforts are underway to train farmers in climate-resilient agriculture and water-saving irrigation methods. Brac, a development NGO, has piloted a scheme training over 2,400 farmers in techniques like alternate wetting and drying. Mohammad Ali from Brac emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive approaches and community-led water management systems.
Government officials recognize the severity of groundwater depletion and are exploring alternative irrigation systems. Experts estimate that more than 2.5 million hectares of farmland could remain uncultivated, reducing crop yields by 2.7 million tonnes and worsening food insecurity.
