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The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has taken an initiative to install solar power systems at around 17,000 irrigation pumps to modernise irrigation in the Barind region and reduce energy costs.
The initiative also envisages supplying surplus electricity to the national grid, introducing cashless online payments for irrigation fees and centrally monitoring pump operations through smart technology.
A meeting was held at BMDA’s headquarters in Rajshahi on Saturday to assess the feasibility of the proposed initiatives, with representatives of local and foreign organisations, including Chinese technology companies.
Participants discussed net metering technology for supplying surplus solar electricity to the national grid, mobile phone-based payment of irrigation fees and the centralised monitoring of irrigation pumps.
BMDA Executive Director Jahangir Alam Khan attended the meeting as the chief guest.
Representatives of China’s Wilfar Information Technology Company Limited, Zhang Zhenhua and William Lu, and Lu Chunhong, representing Zhejiang Qibin Technology Company Limited, attended the discussion.
They exchanged views on the effectiveness of net metering and smart irrigation technologies, implementation plans, maintenance costs and potential economic benefits.
Engineer Shahid Ullah, chairman and chief executive officer of Sanakosh Associates Limited, Director (Business) Abdullah Al Nafeez and General Manager Turzaul Haque were also present.
Jahangir Alam Khan said farmers’ interests must remain the top priority in modernising agriculture and irrigation systems in the Barind region.
He said the adoption of new technologies should be assessed in terms of their benefits for farmers, their potential to reduce irrigation costs and their ability to ensure easy access to irrigation services when needed.
Implementing technology without ensuring farmers’ welfare was not BMDA’s objective, he added.
The meeting also discussed installing solar panels at BMDA’s irrigation pumps, supplying surplus electricity to the national grid and improving irrigation services for farmers.
Participants further examined the potential for centrally monitoring pump operations, electricity consumption, recharge and financial transactions through smart irrigation technology.
BMDA Superintending Engineers Shibir Ahmed, Zinnurain Khan, Nazirul Islam and Abdul Latif attended the meeting, along with Executive Engineers Harun-or-Rashid, Tofazzal Ali Sarkar, Delowar Hossain, Atiqur Rahman and Motiur Rahman, among other senior officials.
