Bangladesh: the Chandpur irrigation project
Rao, A.; Anderson, M.B.; Overholt, C.A.
Gender analysis in development planning a case book: 23-31
1991
Document Number: 340137
With a total population of 107 million, the population density of Bangladesh is second only to that of Singapore. In all, 84% of the people live in more than 70 000 villages. Almost half of these households are landless or nearly landless. Bangladesh is also one of only five countries in the world where men live longer than women. The Chandpur irrigation project (CIP) originated in 1963 with the objectives of (1) protecting and increasing agricultural production, especially the production of food grains; (2) increasing agricultural employment; and (3) improving the living conditions for the people within the project area. The impact of both the irrigation and flood protection which ensued changed the lives of the villagers. The case study assesses the impact of the scheme on cropping patterns and intensity. Land ownership, family composition, and gender were the key determinants of employment and work activities for the villages in the CIP area. The households affected could be classified into the following five groups: landless; tenants; small landowners; mid-size landowners; and large landowners. The impact of the CIP was significant. Crop yields were significantly increased; production and employment levels were increased and so, as a direct result, was family income; the increased food supply meant an improvement in living conditions although patterns of food distribution did not change. Expectations for daughters and sons of CIP village people did not change, although spending for the education of boys did increase. Dowry requirements rose as well. Most gains in income were thus absorbed by increased expenses.