All deep and shallow irrigation pumps across the country will gradually be converted to solar-powered systems and operated using renewable energy, enabling farmers to irrigate their land at affordable costs despite electricity shortages and high diesel prices. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit today said this while addressing a courtyard meeting in the Nadiar Mor, Barmanpara and Chanchra areas of Jashore Sadar to discuss the Prime Minister's priority programmes. Jashore Sadar Upazila administration and the District Information Office jointly organized the event. Noting that Bangladesh has to import gas and coal for electricity generation, Amit said following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, gas prices in the international market have increased.
Whereas gas could previously be purchased at US$8 to US$9 per unit, the price has now risen to US$28. As a result, temporary problems have emerged in electricity generation, he added. He said the government is emphasizing renewable energy as a permanent solution to the problem. Various initiatives have been undertaken to generate electricity using sunlight, wind and water while steps have also been taken to generate solar power from the rooftops of government and private buildings, he added. The state minister said farmers face difficulties in irrigation during the irrigation season because of rising diesel prices and electricity shortages, which increase production costs. Therefore, a decision has been taken to convert all electricity- and diesel-powered irrigation pumps into solar-powered pumps, he said.
He said the initiative has already been implemented in Lebutala Union of Jashore Sadar. There, a solar-powered pump is capable of irrigating 50 to 60 bighas of farmland. In the first phase, he said, approximately 36,000 irrigation pumps across the country, including those under the Barind project, have been identified for conversion to solar power and the work is now beginning. The government will arrange the necessary funding from its own budget or through foreign assistance, he added. Jashore Zila Parishad Administrator Delwar Hossain Khan Khokon also attended the meeting. The meeting discussed the government's development activities, the Prime Minister's announced priority programmes and important local issues. Elected local representatives, administrative officials, among others attended the meeting.
