ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF LOW-COST SOLAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN SYLHET REGION OF BANGLADESH

M Rahman1*, PK Sarkar1 and Z Ferdous2
Journal of the Sylhet Agricultural University, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2020, Pages 25-36

Abstract:

This research shows that the lion’s share of the energy used for irrigation and water management in Bangladesh is still fuel oil and non-renewable sources which are by no means environmentally friendly and expensive compared to other sources. Research shows that in the last 10 years, 500000 hectares of new uncultivated land have been included under the irrigation and water management facilities of Bangladesh. Most of which came under irrigation with the help of fuel oil-powered pumps. 5% of the total diesel demand of Bangladesh is spent on irrigation only, which can be easily replaced with a solar-powered irrigation pump. This research work was carried out in Shalla Upazila and Dharmapasa Upazila areas of Sunamganj District under Sylhet Division, where two solar-powered irrigation pumps were installed. It cost 280000 Taka to install a complete solar pump, the lion’s share of which was spent on buying PV arrays. Compared to diesel-powered pumps it has been observed that the cost of a solar-powered power pump in 20 years where 342742 Taka whereas the cost of a diesel pump 838524 taka. Which is 60% cost-effective and demand of time for farming? This will release the right amount of water to the land at the right time which can increase the yield about 10% to 20% due to loss reduction of premature grains and reduce the cost to the farmer which can play a role in improving the living standards of the farmer. Replacing the current diesel-powered pumps with solar-powered pumps can reduce carbon emissions from Bangladesh. The amount of more than 1086176.316 metric tons carbon emission in just 20 years can be reduced only by this replacement.This research shows that the lion’s share of the energy used for irrigation and water management in Bangladesh is still fuel oil and non-renewable sources, which are by no means environmentally friendly and expensive compared to other sources. Research shows that in the last 10 years, 500000 hectares of new uncultivated land have been included under the irrigation and water management facilities of Bangladesh. Most of which came under irrigation with the help of fuel oil-powered pumps. 5% of the total diesel demand of Bangladesh is spent on irrigation only, which can be easily replaced with a solar-powered irrigation pump. This research work was carried out in the Shalla Upazila and Dharmapasa Upazila areas of Sunamganj District under Sylhet Division, where two solar-powered irrigation pumps were installed. It cost 280000 Taka to install a complete solar pump, the lion’s share of which was spent on buying PV arrays. Compared to diesel-powered pumps, it has been observed that the cost of a solar-powered power pump in 20 years where 342742 Taka, whereas the cost of a diesel pump is 838524 taka, which is 60% cost-effective and demand of time for farming. This will release the right amount of water to the land at the right time, increasing the yield about 10% to 20% due to loss reduction of premature grains and reducing the cost to the farmer, which can play a role in improving living standards of the farmer. Replacing the current diesel-powered pumps with solar-powered pumps can reduce carbon emissions from Bangladesh.  More than 1086176.316 metric tons of carbon emissions in just 20 years can be reduced only by this replacement.

Keywords:

Solar irrigation, Cost, Carbon reduction, Yield increase, Sustainability


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M Rahman1*, PK Sarkar1 and Z Ferdous2. 2020. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF LOW-COST SOLAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN SYLHET REGION OF BANGLADESH, Journal of the Sylhet Agricultural University 7(1): 25-36.