Global Map of Irrigation Areas

Bangladesh

The area equipped for irrigation is 3 751 045 ha [BD01]. The figures refer to 1995. However, statistics at zila and division level were available for 1998, and they gave a total of 3 360 265 ha [BD02]. Most probably, these statistics refer to the area actually irrigated and not to the area equipped for irrigation. Therefore, it was decided to scale the irrigated area per zila so that the total at the country level was consistent with the area reported as equipped for irrigation in the AQUASTAT-report.

The irrigated areas were derived from a map showing irrigation accumulated in dot form [BD03]. Each dot represented 1 000 acres of irrigated area, and this also allowed the separation of areas with high and low irrigation density within the zilas.

The distribution of irrigated area by sub-national unit is listed in the table below.

References

[BD01]: FAO. 1999. Irrigation in Asia in figures, p. 52. Rome.
[BD02]: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2004. NDB Statistics, Zila Profile (available at http://www.bbsgov.org).
[BD03]: Department of Agricultural Extension. 1995. 1993/94 census of minor irrigation in Bangladesh, main report: national and regional summaries, p. 16. Dhaka.

Distribution of irrigated area in Bangladesh by Zila and Division.