Irrigation Project and Education: A Study on Teesta Barrage Irrigation Project Area of Nilphamari, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT The Government of Bangladesh established the Teesta Barrage Irrigation Project (TBIP) to ensure irrigation water supply for the farmers. This irrigation project spans three districts in the northern region of Bangladesh. The goal of this study is to investigate how the TBIP in Bangladesh affects the education of the farmer's family living in the irrigation project region. Though both qualitative (key informant interviews [KII], in‐depth interview, focus group discussion [FGD], and observation) and quantitative (survey) methodologies have been used in the study. The social survey, interview, targeted group discussions, and observations have all been applied in the study to achieve the research objectives. The results show that the irrigation project has raised agricultural output, boosted financial resources, and raised the educational standing of the farmer's family in the research areas. TBIP raises crop yield, which then improves educational attainment for the farmer's family members. The result looked at the notable improvements in the education status of the farmer's children, including increased in funding for education, increased in curiosity, and the enrollment rate in schools. Farmers have become more committed to holding parent–child conferences and providing educational materials for their kids. The study also showed that farmers in the middle and upper classes have benefited mostly from the TBIP. Conversely, lower‐level farmers did not reap the benefits from the TBIP, and there have been no improvements in their livelihoods. Due to the scarcity of water during cultivating season, due to unilateral water withdrawn by India, farmers were compelled to bear additional costs for water supply, reducing their family's educational expenditures. Therefore, the government should develop a comprehensive plan to ensure consistent water supply for crop cultivation throughout the year.