The World Bank approved $120 million to help Bangladesh improve food security by boosting climate resilience and productivity of irrigated agriculture as well as fisheries.
“In Bangladesh, more than 70 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood but their exposure to climate and natural disasters makes them vulnerable. Climate-resilient water management provided in this project combined with increased agricultural productivity will ensure income growth, protect livelihoods and build the resilience of the local communities to climate change,” said Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The Climate-Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project aims to modernize public Flood Control, Drainage, and Irrigation infrastructure.
This will be helpful in improving irrigation and drainage service more than 115,000 hectares where flood damage to crops will be reduced by 60 per cent. Not only this, the project will also help boost the incomes of over 1.5 lakh poor people who are vulnerable to climate change.