Solar-run irrigation pumps have emerged as a blessing for many farmers in Bangladesh this cultivation season amid inadequate rain, frequent power cuts and higher prices of diesel as the Aman cultivation season has kicked off. But those who depend on rain waters to grow Aman paddy have been left distraught from the beginning of July owing to a drought-like situation in the absence of rains. According to a news report on Thursday, many growers have now been busy transplanting seedlings of the second-largest paddy crop in the country on their land in the northern districts that have access to solar-supported irrigation systems.
For paddy cultivation, timely irrigation is vital, say agriculturists, adding even missing one day can severely affect crop quality and yield. To them, the low-cost solar technology is well suited for the country’s flat terrain and abundant sunshine. Since there has been less than usual rainfall this month compared to the previous years, farmers have been forced to turn to pumps to irrigate lands. Sources at the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority said currently, there are 2,659 solar irrigation pumps in the country, a project undertaken by Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), with an installed capacity of around 50 megawatt-peak (MWp). The BREB, under the Energy and Power Ministry, took up the Tk 394 crore projects in 2018 to reduce dependency on electricity generated by fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. The BREB has already requested the Asian Development Bank, the project’s prime financier, to let the project be extended by another two years.
Reportedly, at least 324 solar-run irrigation pumps have been installed in seven upazilas, out of its total 13 upazilas of Dinajpur alone to help farmers irrigate their crop land at reasonable costs and cut electricity and diesel costs. Around 4,000 acres of land are now under irrigation coverage and the number of beneficiary farmers in the seven upazilas of the district is around 15,000. Of the solar pumps, the highest number of pumps is also in
Birganj upazila, at 143. In Birganj, it was found that the farmers in the upazila have brought a large part of their farmland under Aman cultivation on time this season despite lesser rainfall.
We want implementation of solar irrigation pumps should now be given topmost priority. It is high time to consider bold measures with a time-bound and accountable implementation process to yield high quality products, avoid frequent power cuts, tackle carbon emissions and strengthen energy security.
