Vizrt Bangladesh install well to give local village fresh water

Last December, Vizrt Bangladesh helped install a deep tube-well in the village of Talbunia, bringing fresh drinkable water to many families in the area.

Interview with a local farmer

In South-Western Bangladesh, located on the coastal Bagerhat district, is a village called Talbunia. The Bay of Bengal is 7 kilometers away from the village, bringing saline surface water and alkaline soil. The locals have not been able to produce crops on this soil for last 20 years, and when everything went from bad to worse after cyclone Sidr hit in 2007, there was no longer any drinking water in the area. Drinkable water was only available from distant areas and any hope of producing crops again was gone and people started to leave the village.

Agricultural researchers tried to produce seeds so that these coastal areas could grow crops again, and last year a local agricultural officer gathered some seeds and convinced one farmer to cultivate paddy. Another local farmer said, we laughed at the idea of growing paddy on these fields . The seeds were planted just after rainy season when rain water was still on the field. Paddy plants did begin to grow but sadly the plants died because of lack of irrigation. The only thing missing to fulfill the dream of growing paddy again was fresh water.

Talking with the Agriculture Officer

The government surveyed the land and discovered that there was enough fresh water 250 meters underground. Vizrt Bangladesh decided to take action and help plant an 250 meter deep tube-well in Talbunia with a goal of providing a sustainable plant that would improve the economy of this disaster-hit area.

The local agricultural officer reported that in full operation mode the well could provide fresh water to an area of 330 Acres and the soil will sustain cultivation of paddy and other crops. It would change the fortune of 30-35 families.

Fresh water at last.

When Vizrt last visited the area, the tube-well was fully planted and water was coming out. However; there are still some challenges left to make the plant fully functional. A submersible pump was used for the plant and it requires a particular (3-phase) electricity line, different from the normal house electric line. Canals have to be dug to carry the water throughout different areas of the field, however, the proper authorities have ensured that an electrical line will be provided soon and the local people will dig the canals.

This is a first of its kind deep tube-well in that area. The local agricultural officer thanked Vizrt for teaching them fishing instead of giving them fish , and the local people welcomed Vizrt with joy and gave thanks for giving them an opportunity and hope to see a prosperous Talbunia Village in the near future.

Vizrt with local farmers. A job well done!

LINK:	http://www.vizrt.com/news/newsgrid/43280/Vizrt_Bangladesh_install_well...
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