Bangladesh University of Professionals

Research Proposal

Title: Impact of Muhuri dam on livelihoods of sonagazi people, Feni.

Supervisor
Asikunnaby
Lecturer
Department of Disaster and Human Security Management
Bangladesh University of Professionals

Submitted by
Raihanul Islam – 1501012
Sharmin Shara Mim -1501040
Anika Ibnath- 1501080

Submission Date: 30.09.18

Abstract:
Bangladesh is an agricultural country. There are many dams in our country to supply
water for human consumption, irrigation and industrial use. However, small farmers also
carry huge burden due to the construction of a dam. The purpose of our research is to find
out the agricultural and socio-economic impacts due to Muhuri dam on small farmers of
sonagazi, Feni. Data collection methods are both primary and secondary. Some tools and
techniques of data collection are semi-structured questionnaire survey, focus group
discussion (FGD), key informant interview (KII) and necessary data will be analyzed by
SPSS software. The result from the study will highlight the present condition of small
farmers of the particular area. Socio-economic and agricultural effects of dam
construction again vary from upstream region to downstream region. The study draw
attention of the government authorities to minimize the sufferings of the small farmers
from the Muhuri dam.

Keywords: dam, agriculture, socio-economic, small farmer.

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Group Members Contribution

Name ID Research Proposal Topic

Raihanul Islam 1501012 Literature review, expected

results and limited of the study

Sharmin Shara Mim 1501040 Literature review, methodology,

introduction, problem statement,
research questions, Timeline.

Anika Ibnath 1501080 Literature review, abstract,

objective, research questions,
methodology, Timeline.

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Contents…………………………………………………………………No of page

Abstract……………………………………………………………………….2

Group members contribution………………………………………………….3

List of figures………………………………………………………………….4

Introduction………………………………………………………………… 5

Research objective…………………………………………………………….6

Problem statement……………………………………………………………..7

Research questions…………………………………………………………….8

Literature review………………………………………………………………8

Methodology………………………………………………………………….12

Limitation of the study……………………………………………………….14

Expected results and outcome………………………………………………..14

References

List of figures

1.1 Methodology framework…………………………………………………..12

1.2 dam centres to buffer following 1km,3km,,6km…………………………..13

1.3 Timeline…………………………………………………………………….15

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Introduction:

Dam is a barrier to obstruct the excessive water flow. Dams are built globally as multiple

benefit investments ( Obour et al,2015).Water storage projects can provide water for

irrigation in lean period or during drought and other downstream purposes, control floods

by smoothing flow and provide water for ecological services ( Bekchanov et al, 2015). .

In East, South and Southeast Asia ,dams have been constructed to store and retain in the

swollen rivers in the monsoon season for increase the availability of flow of water

during dry season. The irrigation dams and multipurpose dams has been increasing over

the past 25 years rather than single purpose hydropower dams (Rasheed,2011). With the

objective of flood control, provide irrigation, drain wetlands, under the FCDI project

4,700 kms of irrigation canals, 3400 kms of drainage channels, more than 9000 hydraulic

structures (such as sluice gates and regulators), 4300 bridges and culverts, 96 pump

houses and two barrages were built in Bangladesh ( Saha,2013). Muhuri dam one of the

irrigation project of FCDI. The objective of muhuri irrigation project was to expand dry

season irrigated area and increase the crop yield by providing conducive environment for

high yielding rice (HYV) variety. The objective would be accomplished by building

regulatory and closure dam in the mouth of the Feni river. This project also provides

flood control and drainage facilities ( world Bank, 1990) Bangladesh is dominated by

three water system sea, river and water . It is impossible to control seasonal flood .floods

vary considerably from year to year and during extreme floods , over 70 percent of the

country is covered by water (Scandel, 2009). So it is good to use flood water for

irrigation purpose. Water is so central to the lives of rural bangladeshi people , that any

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intervention in water resources has livelihood implications ( Kibria, 2008). Especially

agriculture and fishing is dependent on water resources.

Downstream river dependent communities may enjoy flood protection and enhanced

irrigation opportunities provided by dam, adverse effects of dam outweigh those benefits

resulting in reduction of their livelihoods and income ( Richter et al,2010). Hydropower

development promotes the soil salinity by declining wet season flood pulse which flushes

out much of the salt annually ( Weatherebee,1997; Goh,2004; Lam,2009 cited in Pearse-

Smith,2012). Annual natural nutrient distribution by floodwater has been disrupted by

reduction of the wet season flood pulse and this is a threat for downstream (Goh,2004

cited in Pearse-Smith, 2012).

Available studies only shed light on dam and its commercial use like irrigation. To some

extent some study reveals the impact of dams on agriculture. There is no specific study

about dams effect on the socio-economic specially livelihood of small farmers who are

dependent on agriculture. This study strives to fill this gap. Small farmer is defined as ‘ a

person who holds 0..05 to 2.49 acre land’ ( BBS,2017). This study strives to identify

small farmers perception about dam effect on agriculture. Farmers age, land size, income,

educational level will be considered while studying perception. This study will help

Government and decision makers to take right decision while intervening in river or

agricultural land.

Research Objective

 To identify the agricultural and socio-economic effects of small farmers among

1km, 3km and 6km buffer from the Muhuri dam.

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Problem statement:

Bangladesh’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture. In sonagazi, most farmers are

small farmers. Small farmers can be defined as ‘ a person who holds 0.05 to 2.49 acre

land’ (BBS, 2017). Dam plays an important role for agricultural production by irrigating

cropland by using water stored behind dam and preventing the loss of life and property

from flood. However, Dam has also adverse impact on social life of involuntary displaced

people as well as host communities and riverine communities especially downstream

countries (Rasheed, 2011). As a result, small and marginal farmers settling in the

downstream region will be affected through dam. Muhuri Dam is in downstream area

where where most people are dependent for their livelihood on natural resources and

agriculture.

In case of Muhuri Irrigation project, many environmental and agricultural impacts will

arise due to this dam. Muhuri River flows from upstream to downstream and Feni is the

downstream region of our country. As a result, Feni is deprived from the sedimentation

load. As, dams hold back the sediment in the upstream area. Agricultural productivity and

socio-economic conditions of small farmers are very much inter-connected.

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Information about the severity of the agricultural impact, caused by Muhuri Irrigation

Project on the livelihood of small farmers is lacking. The World Commission of Dams

(WCD, 2000) stated the downstream impact of dam is not common. There are many

scope of research on dams but the impact of each dam is different from each other

because the dam itself and the adjacent area of the dam is vary from one project to

another project (Heien, 2007). Therefore, it is urgent to focus on the downstream impact

of Muhuri Irrigation Project.

This study focus on agricultural effects of muhuri dam. This study also tries to find the

answer how muhuri dam affecting the socio-economic condition of riverine communities

more specifically small farmers. Small farmers perception about dam impact on

agriculture. This study also strives to find out the perception variation and different

impact on agriculture from three different buffer following 1km, 3km, 6km.

Research Questions

The research will be guided by the following questions:

1. What are the impacts of Muhuri dam on agricultural land of small farmers?

2.How and to what extent Muhuri dam changes the socio-economic conditions of small
farmers.

3.What are the agricultural and socio-economic differences of small farmers among 1km,
3km and 6km buffer from the Muhuri dam?

4.What is the perception of small farmers about the impacts of Muhuri dam on
agriculture?

Literature Review

Acheampong, Ozor and Sekyi-Annan (2014) explore the political, economic and social
realities that shape the development, operation and management of small dams by using

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multiple indicator approach after examined sixteen small dams from northern Ghana.
Multiple use of small dams like water use, irrigation, socio-economic significance offers
satisfactory performance but provide limited account of performance dynamics of small
dams. The authors also argue that moving beyond ‘technical or engineering fix’ and point
out the limitations in national and local institutional arrangements, interests and rights for
effective planning, management and improved performance of small dams (Acheampong,
Ozor and Sekyi-Annan, 2014).

Siciliano et al. (2015) figure out the social priorities of Kamchay dam affected
communities and institutional actors linked to environmental and social implications of
this large hydropower projects by using a preference ranking method. Authors further
reveal various concerns among dam-affected communities, which included energy access,
livelihood changes, environmental impacts, access to natural resources and compensation
from the study area. The study then explores divergence between national and local
priorities, which brings about an unequal distribution of costs and benefits of the
Kamchay Dam between urban and rural areas. Authors pay attention to policy-makers,
NGOs and international organizations regarding governance issues, consultation
processes and mitigation measures about the dam affected people (Siciliano et al., 2015).

A dam has both positive and negative consequences. The consequences of dam
construction varies from upstream region to downstream region. In downstream region,
rice production, riverbank agriculture and aquaculture are hampered by the construction
of dam. Because, a dam is a barrier to deliver the sediment in the downstream area.
Fredrik Fredén (2011), identified impacts of dam on low land agriculture in the Mekong
river catchment. Chania has started a hydropower plan on the mainstream river in the
upper part of the catchment. This hydropower plan comprises of eight large dams.
Upstream areas are getting benefit from this hydropower plan. But the downstream areas
such as cultivated floodplains of Laos, Cambodia and the delta in Vietnam are suffering
from low agricultural productivity. Because, this hydropower plan reduces water flow
and traps sediment in dry season (Fredrik Fredén, 2011)

In case of Muhuri Irrigation project, many environmental and agricultural impacts will
arise due to this dam. Muhuri River flows from upstream to downstream and Feni is the

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downstream region of our country. As a result, Feni is deprived from the sedimentation
load. Because, dams hold back the sediment in the upstream area. As a result, agricultural
M. de Boer (2014) identified the consequences of changes caused by the hydroelectric
dam Belo Monte for income, diet and environment for fishermen in the middle Xingu
river and the indigenous community living along the Xingu river. This hydroelectric dam
Belo is constructed in the Amazon rainforest. As a result, it affects the natural resources
and environment. The indigenous communtiy and fishermen both divert their source of
income from fisheries. This is caused by the negative consequences of dam on fisheries,
agriculture and livelihood. They are now more dependent on jobs. The health value of the
fishermen and indigenous community is very lower. The fishermen of the area are also
confused whether they could continue their fishing or not. The construction of the dam
also hampers the diversity of the area (M. de Boer, 2014).

If muhuri dam affects the agricultural productivity, small farmers may divert their source
of income. In consequences, agricultural production will decrease. However, up to now
there is no definite measurable impact small farmers that can be attributed to the Muhuri
dam. Therefore, it is important to identify measure and assess the agricultural and socio-
economic effects of Muhuri dam on small farmers.

Obour et al ‘The impacts of dams on local livelihoods: a study of the Bui Hydroelectric
Project in Ghana’ attempts to examine the effects of project on local livelihoods. Dams
are built globally as multiple benefit investments. Dams have negative environmental and
social impacts. Developing countries like Africa envisage dam to provide energy supply
and water for irrigation and drinking purposes. This project have impacted adversely on
local people and rarely improved the living conditions of local people. In most cases, dam
projects has worsened poverty, food insecurity, health problems and property loss
amongst people who dwell in basin area. The reason behind this, the negative impacts of
dams are overlooked in planning stage and sometimes lack of transparency or effective
stakeholder participation. The existing literatures consensus does not go on for actual
impacts of dam projects on local communities. the Bui hydroelectric project intended to
improvement of national and international level. It has improved the local infrastructure
and generated income opportunities for few local people. However this project

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overlooked traditional income activities and resettlers economic activities. In new
farmland resettlers should be trained by extension officers for improved agriculture. Cage
fishing and aquaculture can help to continue the practice of fishing. The local people
inclusion in planning in implementing project may sustain the traditional livelihood
practices such as fishing and agriculture.

Pears-Smith,(2012) in ‘The Impact of Continued Mekong Basin Hydropower

Development on Local Livelihoods’ argues that food and economic security of local
population depends on natural environment. Hydropower development on Basin have
adverse impact on basin dwellers livelihoods. This study delineates the dams impact on
Whole Mekong Basin but precisely focuses on lower Mekong basin specially Thailand
and Vietnam. In past fifteen years, Hydropower development has begun to hydrology of
the basin (UNEP,2006; ICEM,2010a, cited in Pearse-Smith,2012). The cumulative effects
of hydropower dam in mainstream and tributaries are changing the fundamental
characteristics of river regime with pervasive repercussions not only for natural systems
but also social systems and economies (ICEM, 2010a, cited in Pearse-Smith,2012). The
changing environment affects human community. The altered Mekong hydrology will
degrade or diminish some natural resources such as fish stocks, natural nutrients ,
agricultural land and forested land which are important components of Agriculture or
fishing.

Rasheed,(2011), argues that Irrigation is linked to food production and food security and
it is the largest consumptive use of fresh water today globally
( Rasheed,2011).Discounting conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water , 2 to 16
percent food production are contributed by dams ( WCD,2000 cited in Rasheed,2011).
The scale and significance of large dams for irrigation vary from country to country
based on percentage of agricultural land and the proportion of irrigated water supplied
from large dams. Dams play another crucial role by storing water; it performs flood
management function by preventing downstream inundation during wet season
( Rasheed,2011). About 13 percent of all large dams in the world – in more than 75
countries –have a flood control purpose ( Rasheed,2011). Another function is

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augmentation of flow during dry season. During dry season the stored water meet the
need of downstream population.

Methodology:

Framework

Figure1.1: Methodology framework

Study area selection

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To conduct the study, we have chosen 6km area from the Muhuri dam. 1 km, 3km and

6km buffer will be created using Google Earth Pro. Buffers within 6km will be created

from dam centre to show the different effect of muhuri dam on agriculture.

Figure1.2: dam centres to three buffer following 1km,3km,6km.

Data collection

Primary data will be collected through mixed research approach. The mixed research

approach is purposely chosen to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative

data will be collected through administering questionnaires to small farmers of study

area. Approximately 100 respondents will be interviewed. A semi structured

questionnaire will be administered. Qualitative data will be collected through semi

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structured interview. Three separate focus group discussions will be held in three

different buffer area to explore some of the issues discussed in the questionnaires. This

also helps to get insight from respondents from different perspectives. Each of groups

composed of 5-7members. Small groups promotes easy handling and interactive

communication. A key informant interview will also held to get data from different voice.

Secondary data will be collected from peer review journals and printed books. Secondary

data is chosen to identify existing gaps, overlaps of literatures with this study.

Data analysis:

The collected data from field will be cleaned, edited and entered into Computer software

and analyzed by statistical package for the social sciences (spss). The study objective is to

identify the perception of small farmers about muhuri dam effects on agriculture. SPSS is

purposely chosen to quantify the satisfaction level of farmers. The qualitative data will be

also analyzed based on objectives.

Limitations of the study

The research will reach into its aim despite having some unavoidable limitations. First,
because of the time limit, the research will be conducted on a small size of population
that is smallholder farmers around Muhuri Irrigation Project whereas the study should
have involved more participants at different level.. Secondly, lack of financial resources
is one of the main constraints of our study.Finally, there are limited prior research studies
on this topic. There are many secondary data related dam issue in the whole world.
However, our country has rare studies on the agricultural and socio-economic effects of
dam on small farmers.

Expected Results

The work will highlight the agricultural and socio-economic effects of Muhuri irrigation
project on smallholder farmers. By doing this study, we can get a clear view of the
perception of small farmers about the impacts of the dam on agriculture and socio-

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economic conditions. We can also identify the agricultural and socio-economic
differences of small farmers among 1km, 3km and 6km buffer from the Muhuri dam. The
work is expected to be significant.

Timeline

The research proposed period is from July to December 2018. Within these six months,
research activity will be conducted. Following table is the pictorial representation of the
time and research activities:

Figure 1.3: Timeline

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References
1. Acheampong, E.N., Ozor, N. and Sekyi-Annan, E., 2014. Development of small
dams and their impact on livelihoods: Cases from northern Ghana. AfricanJournal
of Agricultural Research, 9(24), pp.1867-1877.

2. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, (2017). Yearbook of agricultural statistics-2017.

[online] Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of statistics, p.453. [Accessed 30th Sep,2018]

3. Bekchanov, et al., (2015). How would the Rogun Dam affect water and energy
scarcity in Central Asia? Journal Water International, [online] Volume 40 (5-
6), pp.856-876. Available at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02508060.2015.1051788
4. [Accessed 30th Sep, 2018]

5. de Boer, M., 2014. Belo Monte and the Livelihoods of Local Community.

6. Fredén, F., 2011. Impacts of dams on lowland agriculture in the Mekong River
catchment. Lunds universitets Naturgeografiska institution-Seminarieuppsatser

7. Kibria, Z. (2008). Imapct of ADB investment in the water sector in

Bangladesh.Rivers and communities.
8. Retrieved from https://riversandcommunities.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/impact-
of-asian-development-bank-adb-investment-in-the-water-sector-in-bangladesh/

9. Obour, B.P. et al, (2015). The impacts of dams on local livelihoods: a study of the
Bui Hydroelectric Project in Ghana. International journal of Water Resources

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 Development, [online] Available at:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2015.1022892 [30th Sep ,2018].
10. Pearse-Smith,S.(2012).The Impact of Continued Mekong Basin Hydropower
Development on Local Livelihoods.Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable
Development,[online] Volume 7(1), pp. 62-75. Available at:
http://www.mekonginfo.org/assets/midocs/0003831-environment-the-impact-of-
continued-mekong-basin-hydropower-development-on-local-livelihoods.pdf

11. Rasheed, S, K.B. (2011). Water Resources Management with examples from
Bangladesh.Dhaka, A.H Development Publishing House, pp.59-75.

12. Richter, et al., (2010). Lost in Development’s Shadow: The Downstream Human
Consequences of Dams. Water alternatives, [online] volume 3(2), pp. 14-42.
Available at: http://www.water-alternatives.org/index.php/volume3/v3issue2/80-
a3-2-3/file [Accessed 30th Sep,2018).

13. Siciliano, G., Urban, F., Kim, S. and Lonn, P.D., 2015. Hydropower, social
priorities and the rural–urban development divide: The case of large dams in
Cambodia. Energy Policy, 86, pp.273-285.

14. Schendel,W.V.(2009). A history of Bangladesh. India: New Delhi.

15. Saha, M. (2013). Environmental and Social Impact of Flood Control, Drainage
and Irrigation projects: Is it a Development Disaster for Bangladesh???. Retrieved
from http://www.bip.org.bd/SharingFiles/journal_book/20140128163854.pdf

16. [Accessed 30th Sep,2018]

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 17. 12.World Bank, (1990). Project Completion Report on Bangladesh Muhuri
Irrigation Project (Credit 725-BD). [online] Washington, D.C.: World Bank ,pp.1-
53. [Accessed 30th Sep, 2018].

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