IMPACT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY (RDA) DEVELOPED LOW-COST DEEP TUBEWELL IN KALAI UPAZILA UNDER JOYPURHAT DISTRICT

Abstract

The study was carried out at Harunja, Kalai under Joypurhat district to know the impact of Rural Development Academy (RDA) developed low-cost Deep Tube Well (DTW) technology during 2016-2017. Data were collected from DTW owners, farmers and RDA research documents for the purpose. Field data were collected by individual interview, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and direct observation method from 100 respondents. Statistical analysis was done by using logistic regression model and R programming language. RDA has been improved some structural facilities in the study area. Installation costs of DTW, overhead tank, buried pipe irrigation system and domestic water supply network were 45%, 21%, 22% and 12%, respectively. Annual expenditure of electricity bill, salary of water charge collector, operation & maintenance cost, salary for operator were 66%, 18%, 9% and 7%, respectively. Annual income obtained from drinking and irrigation water charges were 51% and 49%, respectively. Gross expenditure and gross income were Tk. 1.37 and 2.35 lakhs, respectively. Net benefit from the project was obtained Tk. 0.98 lakh. This technology improved the sanitation facilities in the rural areas. In this area, 23% respondent had no toilet facility; however percentage has been decreased to 6%. Situation of water borne diseases have been improved. Maximum 56% respondents suffered diarrhea but this percentage has been decreased to 4%. Entertainment assessment also has been increased by the effect of technology. The 39% respondents were not able to buy television but this number has been decreased to 13%. There were 20%, 4% and 2% respondents who had 3, 4 and 5 mobile phones. Yearly frequency of medicare for water borne diseases has been improved in the area. The 5% respondents had not visit doctor but this percentage has been decreased as 65%. The value of ‘p’ for rice and potato yield were 6.12×10-6 and 3.71×10-6 , respectively indicated significant increase in grain yield against the cropping pattern. The effect of cropping pattern on rice yield is greater than the potato yield because of the cultivation of modern rice variety and improvement of boro rice cultivation. Medical cost has not been changed significantly with the changing cropping pattern. Facilities of irrigation and drinking or domestic water by Rural Development Academy (RDA) developed low-cost Deep Tube Well (DTW) technology improve their livelihood status as well as ensure their food, health and education of this project area.