Solar Shift Set for Bangladesh Irrigation System

The government has taken a plan to bring Bangladesh’s entire agricultural irrigation system under solar power, Agriculture and Fisheries & Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said, adding that implementation will begin this year.

He made the remarks on Sunday, May 17, while addressing the 10th meeting of the International Agricultural Research Advisory Committee as the chief guest at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in the capital’s Khamarbari area.

Placing the highest emphasis on ensuring safe food for all, the minister said, “We must maintain strict monitoring at every stage of food production and processing. Ensuring that no heavy metals enter food at any stage is one of our key priorities.”

Describing Bangladesh’s soil and climate as highly suitable for agriculture, he said the country has the potential to become one of the world’s major food production hubs.

“Our agriculture sector has enormous export potential. Until agriculture becomes a major export sector, the country’s economy will not become fully stable and strong,” he added.

Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid also urged researchers to work extensively on reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in farmland. He warned that excessive fertilizer use is extremely harmful to the environment, soil, and public health.

“We must quickly move away from this damaging practice,” the minister said.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Abdus Salam, Executive Chairman of BARC and Chairperson of the CGIAR Advisory Committee. Agriculture Secretary Dr. Rafiqul I Mohamed attended the event as special guest.

Representatives from various stakeholder groups and partner organizations also took part in the meeting.

DBTech/RE/MI/OR