Food security, rural livelihoods and climate resilience in Bangladesh depend on how effectively water resources are managed, said speakers at a seminar titled "Water Management for Improved Agriculture."

Organised by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the seminar was held in Dhaka on Sunday.

The need to connect water management with nutrition, climate adaptation and market access was highlighted as essential for achieving sustainable results for rural communities by government officials, development partners, agricultural technical experts, researchers and farmer representatives.

Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, who was the chief guest, said, “The Government of Bangladesh is working relentlessly to ensure food security for our growing population. We are developing a long-term Agriculture Outlook 2050 strategy to ensure safe and nutritious food for both human and non-human consumption. To achieve this, efficient water management, climate adaptability and smart agriculture must be taken into account.”

“In the face of climate change, salinization and irregular rainfall, the way we manage water today will not only determine the resilience and productivity of our food systems tomorrow but also reduce current and future water crises exacerbated by population growth and climate change,” said Dr Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh.

Representatives from the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and Department Agricultural Extension (DAE) stressed that while extension services stand ready to promote climate-smart technologies to boost production, sustainable results will depend on modernised irrigation systems, reduced water losses and stronger local institutions, since infrastructure alone cannot succeed without empowered farmer organisations.

“Infrastructure alone is not enough. For lasting impact, we need empowered farmer institutions, coordinated government action and innovative financing. When water management is linked with nutrition, climate adaptation and market access, it delivers real and sustainable results for rural communities,” said Dr Valantine Achancho, Country Director, IFAD Bangladesh.

Representatives from IFAD, FAO, BADC, DAE, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) brought technical, governance and investment perspectives to the panel discussion. From the technical side, attention was drawn to efficient irrigation, crop diversification and the role of stronger water user groups. Governance discussions centred on the need for joint seasonal planning, enhanced local capacity and the integration of climate-smart practices. Development partners, contributing from the investment perspective, underscored the importance of innovative financing models, resource mobilisation and partnerships to scale up proven approaches.

The seminar highlighted that construction and rehabilitation of canals and buried pipes brought substantial benefits, with overall crop production increasing by 23–37 percent and crop revenue rising by 18–25 percent. Investments in flood protection dykes further boosted output, with beneficiaries recording a 33 percent rise in crop revenue and up to 31 percent higher diversification, particularly in flood-prone areas.

The seminar concluded with a call to carry lessons from the field into national policy and investment priorities, ensuring that evidence, collaboration and innovation guide the future of water management for resilient and food-secure rural communities in Bangladesh.