This study covered five districts in northwest Bangladesh aimed at exploring issues related to groundwater sustainability for irrigation in the context of maintaining and sustaining food security in Bangladesh. Both primary and secondary data were utilized considering environmental, social and economic aspects for assessing sustainability of groundwater use for irrigation purposes. Results revealed a declining trend of groundwater table in the northwest region of Bangladesh during 1981-2014, where the most depleted groundwater table was found in Rajshahi followed by Pabna, Bogra, Dinajpur, and Rangpur districts. 

The magnitude of depletion of groundwater table in Rajshahi district ranged from 4m-12m during 1981- 2014. The major influencing factors for natural replenishment of aquifers included a significant reduction of total annual rainfall by about 25.6% during 1981-2014; minimal decline of average annual river water levels; significant reduction of wetland areas by about one-third. Other than the above mentioned factors, the onset of increasing irrigated area for dry season rice (boro) is considered to be a main driver of groundwater depletion which has increased by about three folds during 1981-2014. Efficient irrigation management practices, such as low water demanding high value crops, volumetric water charging system, wet and dry irrigation system, etc. could be introduced widely to reduce excessive withdrawal of groundwater use. Efficiency of existing water lifting devices including STW and DTW could be enhanced for increasing command area and discouraging new installation of tubewells. Bangladesh has recently experienced moderate rainfall during September-October months. If boro rice transplantation is moved earlier from November-December to October than boro cultivation may benefit from late-monsoon rains and place less pressure on groundwater resources.