Scientists unveil solar water pumps

Dhaka University scientists have developed a solar pump by using locally available technologies to help bring more land under irrigation and reduce dependency on diesel- and electricity- driven water pumps in crop fields.

“Solar irrigation pumps can play a significant role in cutting demand for electricity and diesel as well as irrigate a vast portion of lands that are devoid of irrigation facilities," Prof Dr NC Bhowmik, project director of Development of Solar Pumping for Irrigation, told a press conference.

The researchers at the Renewable Energy Research Centre, Dhaka University developed the pumps under a project funded by the Ministry of Science, Information and Communication Technology.

Associate Project Directors Prof Dr Saiful Huque and Dr Md Habibur Rahman were also present at the briefing.

The cost of installing these locally developed solar pumps will be less than the cost for the imported ones. Repair and maintenance costs will also be lower than the imported solar water pumps, they added.

Boro rice is the country's largest harvest, the production of which is largely dependent on proper irrigation facilities.

Irrigation facilities are paramount to ensuring smooth plantation during the current Aman season due to scanty monsoon rain in June and the first half of July.

Bhowmik said, “Around 35 percent of arable land falls under various irrigation projects, with electricity driven pumps covering only a fourth of total irrigation requirements. Diesel based water pumps are used for the remaining."

The Dhaka University professor said the 65 percent lands that are void of irrigation facilities could be brought under the irrigation network by using solar water pumps.

“It will enhance crop production,” he said, suggesting that diesel run water pumps could be replaced with solar pumps to save foreign currency.

However, the cost of installing a solar water pump remains high. It would cost about Tk 3,75,000 to install a solar pump with one horsepower capacity, with which a farmer is expected to irrigate about 10 acres of land, the press meet was also told.

It would cost Tk 7,00,000 to install a solar water pump with a capacity of two horsepower, Tk 13,18,000 for four horsepower and Tk 20,00,000 for six horsepower.

“The government should give incentives to install solar water pumps in the same way it helps with fertiliser and electricity," said Bhowmik.

Researchers said farmers can easily install and change the pumps whenever necessary because it is made using local pumps. It will also enable farmers to light their homes at night, when irrigation is not needed on the fields, he added.