Solar Irrigation
Pumping System (SIPS) Program:
Under the
GPDP program, RDF has come forward to provide essential support to the farmers
in order to ensure incessant supply of irrigation water in the southern &
northern part of the country. The prime objective of this program is, to ensure
food security through the agricultural development and this idea is the brain
child of the CEO of RDF. Since Mr. M Golam Mostofa the CEO of RDF is from
Barguna district, he realizes the extreme necessity of proper irrigation system
for the farmers of this area and accordingly he interlinked some major elements
like modern, innovative and cost effective technology with food security issue
by the proper utilization of available resources.
As we know
that there are 1.3 million diesels driven and 0.4 million electricity operated
irrigation pumps are functioning in agriculture sector in Bangladesh. For
operating these pumps huge diesel and electricity is required. On the other hand
price hike is a major dilemma to continue irrigation through diesel or
electricity. So this is high time to search for third option of source of
energy to keep the irrigation pumps running for the greater national interest
of reducing food insecurity.
Considering
the overall scenario and based on the social commitment RDF tagged Solar
Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) with food security issue of the coastal
districts and accordingly RDF have inaugurated SIPS component under its Green
Power & Development Program (GPDP). RDF believed that if adequate and
proper irrigation is ensured the crops production rate will be higher and thus
food security can be ensured. These are the elements which are correlated with
each other.
The
Honorable Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr. Atiur Rahman with the potential
CEOs’ and DMDs’ of Rupali Bank Ltd. Mutual Trust Bank Ltd. NCC Bank Ltd.
Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd. Mercantile Bank Ltd. inaugurated RDF Solar
Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) on 17th July 2010. Governor’s visit
followed significant impact on more agricultural production in the coastal
area. The people of the project area are now well organized, well trained and
efficient in agricultural production. Crops production of the said project has
increased and family relationship and ties among the villagers are now being
developed.
The success
story of SIPS encouraged RDF to move forward aggressively and on that
consequence RDF has successfully installed another 139 SIPS in Barguna,Patuakhali, Kushtia, Meherpur,
Chuadanga & Panchagarh
districts. These 139 SIPS are covering about 13,535 Bighas of land for ensuring 3 cycles of
production in a year in the said areas to maximize the crops production. The
long term objective of RDF is not only addressing the food security but also to
supplement Govt’s efforts in reducing power crisis and import of fuel. It is
worth mentioning to note that RDF is not only the pioneer but also the first in
the SAARC countries to install solar irrigation pumping system.
According
to the draft policy of renewable energy, a target has been set by Bangladesh
government for generating 5% of total electricity by the year 2015 and 10% by
the year 2020 from renewable energy source. Power division has taken an
initiative of generating “500 megawatt solar energy development program”
utilizing immense potentiality of solar energy, which has been approved by the
Honb’le Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Under this program Power division has
taken initiative for Solar Irrigation Program of replacing 18,000 diesel
driven agriculture irrigation pumps by solar irrigation pumps (Ref. No.
27.00.0000.093.33.014.12.226 of Power Division of Ministry of Energy and
Mineral Resources, People’s Republic of Bangladesh).
In view of
the above situation, it is now the appropriate time to take the advantage of
this discovered and endless energy source to use in agricultural sector of
Bangladesh. Soon enough, when the fossil fuels will run short, we will have to
go back to the renewable sources for our every need. Other countries of the
world has engaged themselves with this modern technology long before.
During up to 2017, RDF installed 139
plants at different parts of the country and in future RDF management has
decided to install 500 more SIPS plants in greater Kushtia region under its
Green Resource Mobilization Program (GRMP). Pictorial and statistical data of
SIPS are shown below:
Solar
Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) at a Glance under GPDP up to 2017
|
District Coverage:
|
Barguna, Patuakhali, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Meherpur & Panchagarh
|
|
Plant installed area:
|
Nilganj, Tiakhali, Shikarpur.
|
|
Plant Installed:
|
139
|
|
Plant Installation in process:
|
100
|
|
Number of Landlord involved:
|
536
|
|
Number of Tenants involved:
|
178
|
|
Number of labors involved:
|
207
|
|
Quantity of Lands under Cultivation:
|
13535 Bighas
|
|
Average capacity of pump:
|
7,50,000 Liters/per day
|
|
Average No. of solar panel per pump:
|
48
|
|
No. of Direct Beneficiary
|
37104
|
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