Farmers to get solar systems at half price: Minister

The government has taken an initiative to introduce solar-powered systems for deep tube wells and shallow irrigation machines in order to reduce agricultural production costs, said Agriculture Minister Md. Amin-ur-Rashid.

He made the remarks while speaking at a farmer card distribution programme held in the Bibirbazar area of Cumilla Sadar Upazila on Friday (April 17).

The minister said the transition to solar-based irrigation would be implemented in phases to lower irrigation expenses in the agricultural sector.

“This will reduce dependency on fuel and make agricultural production more profitable,” he added.

He also said that one of the key promises of the BNP’s 31-point programme was the issuance of agricultural cards. Although the initiative was earlier criticised, the government has now started distributing family cards and agricultural cards.

“Before the ink of the vote has even dried, the government has begun implementing its commitments,” he said.

During the event, agricultural cards were distributed among 1,458 farmers.

Among others present were Cumilla-5 MP Jasim Uddin (Burichang-Brahmanpara), Agriculture Secretary Dr. Rafiqul E Mohammad, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Delwar Hossain, and Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu. The programme was chaired by District Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan.