The 'Maharshi Flagship Sub-Project' was officially inaugurated in Jhenaigati, Sherpur, on Saturday (Nov 29.2025). Photo: Collected
The ‘Maharashi Flagship Sub-Project’ was officially inaugurated in Jhenaigati, Sherpur, on Saturday with the aim of improving rural livelihoods and making the agro-based economy sustainable. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) are jointly implementing this sub-project. It is a key initiative under the ‘Smallholder Water Resources Development Project, Phase-2’, which aims to take rural production systems, irrigation systems and agro-based business expansion to new heights. The inauguration ceremony was attended by local farmers, government officials, project stakeholders and the public.
The Maharashi Flagship Sub-Project has brought a total of 1,250 hectares of agricultural land under irrigation using the water of the Maharashi River. Out of this, 1,000 hectares of land is directly irrigated by this project.
As a result, at least 1,420 out of 2,405 households in the Jhenaigati area of Sherpur are currently beneficiaries of this improved irrigation facility. The economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of the project has been set at 12.9 percent, which ensures its sustainability and financial feasibility in the long term.
The main objective of the initiative is to ensure irrigation facilities throughout the year, increase agricultural production and increase farmers' income through efficient water management. In addition, the establishment of a full-fledged agri-business center (Agri-Business Center) will make processing, storage and marketing of agricultural products easier. It is expected that the project infrastructure will become suitable for long-term maintenance through improved rural communication systems and capacity building of Water Management Cooperative Societies (PBSS).
At the inauguration ceremony, JICA Bangladesh Office Chief Representative Ichiguchi Tomohide said, JICA has been with Bangladesh for the past 52 years. The Maharashi Flagship Sub-Project is not just about infrastructural development; it is a promise to change the lifestyle of the people. As the first successful flagship sub-project, it has set a new benchmark for integrated rural development. When the government, JICA and the local people work together, everything from increased agricultural production to building strong communities can be achieved.
The event was attended by JICA Senior Representative Shoji Izumi, LGED Chief Engineer Javed Karim, Project Director of Small Water Resources Development Project (Phase-2) Saniul Haque, Team Leader of Nippon Koi Consulting Team Yojiro Sekiguchi, Additional Chief Engineers and Executive Engineers of Mymensingh Division and Sherpur District, various LGED Project Directors and members of Water Management Cooperative Societies and local beneficiary farmers.
The Maharashi Flagship Sub-Project has set a new paradigm in the rural agro-based economy of Bangladesh. The project is expected to contribute to sustainable change in rural livelihoods through the development of irrigation systems, increased water management efficiency, facilitation of agricultural product marketing, and active participation of local communities.
Source: Online/GFMM
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