Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud has urged Bangladesh’s development partners, including the World Bank, to finance the country’s drive to increase the use of solar power in agriculture.

Hasan said this at a dialogue on the prospect of solar-powered irrigation to enhance climate resilient agriculture in Bangladesh held at Bangladesh Pavilion in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday.

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The use of solar energy has increased in the country because it is climate tolerant, cost-effective, eco-friendly, he said.

 “Every year, 1.24 lakh mts diesel is used to run irrigation pumps in the country. This can be saved if solar panels are installed to operate the pumps. Solar energy also helps reduce carbon emissions,” he said.

Besides, a solar panel can operate for up to 20 years uninterruptedly, he said.

The use of solar panels instead of diesel-run irrigation pumps was as important as the process of reducing the damage caused by future climate change.

Therefore, Bangladesh has taken initiative to increase the use of solar panels instead of diesel in irrigation pumps.

Idcol has been working to install solar panels in irrigation and the government has undertaken 789 projects at a cost of 443 million US dollar from the Climate Change Trust Fund with its own funding.

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He said Bangladesh has been working to mitigate the risks posed by climate change by formulating its own climate change strategic and action plan.

Idcol has installed 1,515 solar irrigation pumps with aid of different organisation, easy loan and technological support, which is so admirable.

He said the achievements of IDCOL in developing renewable energy and energy efficiency have given Bangladesh a global recognition.