Bangladesh faces several challenges in water management, including severe annual flooding, river-induced erosion and water shortages in the dry season. These problems are compounded by inadequate water management infrastructure, low involvement of users in water management and lack of funds for maintenance and operating costs.

This project supports the Government of Bangladesh's National Water Policy and the development of flood management, better drainage and water conservation to improve the lives of small-scale and marginal farmers. An estimated 208,450 hectares of cultivable land will benefit from improved water management.

A key feature of the project is the involvement of smallholders in small-scale water resource management through community-based associations. They also receive training in water management, agriculture and fisheries production.

Source: IFAD