Govt moving to solar irrigation to cut farming costs: Agriculture minister

The government has taken an initiative to introduce solar systems in deep tube wells and shallow machines (diesel-powered water pumps) to reduce production costs in the agriculture sector, Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid has said.

Speaking as the chief guest at a Farmer Card distribution programme in the Bibirbazar area of Cumilla Adarsha Sadar upazila today (17 April), he said, "Farmers will receive subsidies, enabling them to access solar facilities at half the cost."

The minister added that irrigation systems will be gradually shifted to solar power to lower farmers' irrigation expenses.

"This transition would reduce dependence on fuel and make agricultural production more profitable," Amin said.

He further said providing agriculture cards was one of the key commitments in BNP's 31-point agenda.

He noted, "Although the initiative had faced criticism earlier, the government began distributing family cards and agriculture cards soon after assuming office. Also, the government started implementing its commitments even before the ink of the ballots had dried. A total of 1,458 farmers were given agriculture cards at the programme."