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Probaho supplies water to 300,000 people in crisis-prone zones
Over 20,000 people are receiving pure drinking water since Prohabo has installed another six purification plants recently in the coastal regions of the country.
With this, the number of such plants stands at 121 across 23 districts supporting around 300,000 beneficiaries, who were earlier suffering from severe water crises.
The new plants were launched when Probaho, a private sector-led initiative, celebrates its 15th anniversary on World Water Day 2024 (Friday).
The initiative supports marginalized communities in supplying safe drinking water, especially in the country’s salinity-prone southern region (in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6).
“On its 15th anniversary, Probaho pledges to continue supporting communities in the coastal belt to mitigate the water crisis escalated by climate change. We are trying to offer a model solution to the water crisis, that is sustainable,” said Ahmed Raihan Ahsanullah, representative of Probaho.
The purification plants in satkhira are set up with advanced reverse osmosis technology and run in a financially self-sustaining manner with meager contributions from the beneficiaries.
It has also undertaken a few successful public-private partnerships, working with Rajshahi City Corporation, Border Guards Bangladesh in St. Martin’s Island and others.
Probaho started its journey in 2009 and has in the meantime contributed to address three critical issues of water in Bangladesh – arsenic contamination, water scarcity in the hilly region and drinking water crisis caused by salinity in the coastal belt. Probaho’s legacy of 15 years provides the inspiration to move forward with pride and purpose, ensuring a safer today and tomorrow for all.
Canada Bangladesh Alumni Association Executive Committee meets Finance Minister
The Executive Committee of the Canada Bangladesh Alumni Association (CBAA) paid a courtesy call on the Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali MP on Thursday.
The committee was led by its President Khorshed A Khastagir and accompanied by Vice President Saiful Islam, General Secretary Shayaan Seraj, EC Members Taufiq Zaman and Mahira Khan.
The delegation also met the Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, a Canadian alumni (McGill University).
In their discussions, they brought up an incubator fund for startups, scholarships for students, skill development initiatives, and other networking events and sought support from the Finance Ministry, said a media release on Friday.
The Finance Ministry leadership expressed their willingness to cooperate and support the CBAA in its aims and objectives.
Demra warehouse fire doused: Fire Official
A fire that broke out at a clothing warehouse in Bhanga Press area of Dhaka’s Demra on Thursday night, has been doused, said a fire service official.
Ten firefighting units brought the fire under control at 8:00 am on Friday and fully doused it at 11:50 am, said Shahjahan Sikder, DAD of Fire service and Civil Defence (media cell).
Demra warehouse fire under control: Fire Official
Members of the Bangladesh Navy also joined to bring the fire under control, according to a statement of the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR).
Earlier in the morning, FSCD Director (Training, Planning and Development) and Incident Commander Lt Col Md Rezaul Karim visited the spot and said the amount of damage can be ascertained after investigation.
Fire breaks out in godown in Dhaka’s Demra
The affected building and buildings next to it don't have even an inch of gap between them. The firemen faced difficulty entering the building because of the narrow staircase. Water from drains had to be used to control the fire as there were not enough water supplies nearby, he added.
“We are yet to get a hold of the building owner,” said the official.
Grid integration guideline fails to make a success of solar irrigation
The government's guideline for purchasing electricity from solar irrigation pumps failed to draw adequate response from stakeholders thus the government is now thinking of forming a high-powered inter-ministerial committee involving concerned ministries and entities in the sector.
According to official sources, the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) published a policy guideline titled: "Grid Integration Guideline for Solar Irrigation Pump" in July 2020.
Climate Smart Solar Irrigation to meet challenges of climate change: Researchers urged
The main purpose of the guideline was to facilitate solar pump operators to sell their idle electricity to distribution entities and also the distribution entities' purchase of electricity from pump operators under a specific policy.
The idea of purchasing electricity from solar-run irrigation pumps came from the government's success in purchasing power from rooftop solar plants installed in office and industrial buildings, SREDA officials said.
BREB to install 2,000 solar irrigation pumps; farmers can sell idle electricity to national grid
During the off-season, the government will buy electricity from the solar irrigation plant operators. Under the plan, pump operators will be able to sell their idle electricity to the national grid using local distribution grid lines.
But "Grid Integration Guideline for Solar Irrigation Pump" failed to make any significant breakthrough in setting up solar irrigation pumps to replace the diesel-fired pumps.
So far, about 6000 pumps, out of 1.34 million diesel fired pumps, were converted to solar-run pumps, said a SREDA official.
Govt plans to purchase unconsumed electricity from solar irrigation pumps
But the stakeholders do not agree with such figures. Dipal C Barua, who is deeply involved in solar irrigation and has been implementing a number of projects in Kustia and Dinajpur districts, said so far about 3000 irrigation pumps were set up across the country.
He, also former president of Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) said that replacing the diesel-fired pumps with solar-pumps reduced the cost of irrigation by 40-50 percent.
"For a crop season, farmers now spend Tk 2000 for a land while they had to pay Tk 4000 for irrigation by diesel-fired pumps," he told UNB.
But such a project is individually not attractive for a single farmer and also for distribution companies to buy idle power, he observed with his experience of installing about 30 irrigation pumps in Pabna.
There must be a unique business model to make the solar irrigation initiative where it will be lucrative for both pump operators, formers and utilities, he said.
Expressing a similar opinion, a senior SREDA official said the Power Division is now thinking of forming an inter-ministerial committee to evolve a business model to make the solar irrigation project successful.
Recently, the SREDA organized a meeting to discuss the overall situation of the solar irrigation pumps.
In the meeting Prime Minister's Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury directed the officials in the power sector to set a target under a specific plan to convert the country's diesel-fired irrigation pumps into solar-run ones.
"You have to set a goal under a plan to increase the number of solar-run pumps in irrigation," he told SREDA officials.
He also advised the farmers not to use excessive water than required for the irrigation.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid also addressed the event at the SREDA office.
The energy advisor said that a committee will be formed after Eid from the Prime Minister's office so that an effective role can be played in reaching the desired goal in the renewable energy sector.
Emphasizing the mobilization of the climate fund, he said there should be an initiative to collect promised amounts of money from the Loss & Damage Fund announced in Cop-28.
Nasrul Hamid said there should be united efforts for promotion of solar irrigation pumps. Reducing the use of diesel pumps will also reduce carbon emissions.
Each diesel pump consumes 1023.34 liters of diesel per year,” he said, adding, the government has to import huge quantities of diesel which is a waste of foreign exchange and also harmful to the environment.
Demra warehouse fire under control: Fire Official
A fire that broke out at a clothing warehouse in Bhanga Press area of Dhaka’s Demra on Thursday night, has been brought under control, said a fire service official.
Ten firefighting units brought the fire under control at 8:00 am on Friday, said Shahjahan Sikder, DAD of Fire service and Civil Defence (media cell).
Fire breaks out in godown in Dhaka’s Demra
Members of the Bangladesh Navy also joined to bring the fire under control, according to a statement of the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR).
Earlier in the morning, FSCD Director (Training, Planning and Development) and Incident Commander Lt Col Md Rezaul Karim visited the spot and said the amount of damage can be ascertained after investigation.
The affected building and buildings next to it don't have even an inch of gap between them. The firemen faced difficulty entering the building because of the narrow staircase. Water from drains had to be used to control the fire as there were not enough water supplies nearby, he added.
“We are yet to get a hold of the building owner,” said the official.
Fire breaks out in godown in Dhaka’s Demra
A fire broke out in a warehouse in Bhanga Press area of Demra in Dhaka on Thursday night.
Talhan Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters (media cell), said the fire began in the godown on the third floor of a four-storey building in the Bhanga Press area around 11:30 pm.
On information, five firefighting units rushed to the spot and were trying to bring the blaze under control, he said.
The reason behind the fire could not be known immediately, the station officer added.
FM for healthier food habits, consumption of locally produced agricultural products
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday urged the World Food Programme (WFP) to conduct programme on raising public awareness about healthier food habits and consumption of locally produced agricultural products and on efficient and sustainable use of arable lands.
He made the request when Country Director of UN World Food Programme (WFP) Domenico Scalpelli met him at his office.
The Foreign Minister appreciated WFP for its sustained life-saving support for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingya) temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh in both Cox’s Bazar and Bhashan Char.
Appreciating WFP for partially restoring the ration to US$10 per person per month and adding locally fortified rice into the assistance package, he requested to further increase the ration to cope up with price hike globally.
The Country Director appreciated the remarkable improvement of food production capacity of Bangladesh and role of agricultural science and technology in this regard.
The Foreign Minister also expressed satisfaction on the positive results from the school feeding programme supported by WFP since 2011.
The Country Director has informed that new school feeding programme with local nutritious food items is in the pipeline to be implemented.
He also confirmed the WFPs readiness to work together with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and Ministry of Food.
The Foreign Minister assured Scalpelli of all out assistances during his tenure of office in Dhaka.
Food ministry allows import of 83,000 tonnes of rice on condition of sale in sacks
The Ministry of Food on Thursday gave permission to 30 companies from the private sector to import 83,000 tonnes of rice.
The ministry on Thursday issued a notification saying that imported rice must be sold in sacks, and cannot be repackaged with the name of the owner.
Onion seed cultivation: Faridpur couple become role models, farmers aim Tk 300 crore worth of production
According to the total import, 49,000 tonnes will be boiled rice and 34,000 tonnes will be atap (parboiled) rice, reads the notification.
The notification stated the importers, who have given permission to import all the rice in the markets of Bangladesh within 25 April. No importer can issue an IP (Import Permit) in excess of the allocation.
The Ministry of Food says imported rice must be sold in sacks, and cannot be repackaged with the name of the owner.
Onion, sugar likely to be imported from India before Ramadan: State Minister
The government on February 8, reduced import duties on rice to allow the private sector to import.
At that time the National Board of Revenue (NBR) completely withdrew the 25 percent import duty on rice. It also reduced the regulatory duty on imports from 25 percent to 5 percent.
Govt to provide Tk 14cr incentives to boost Sri Lankan onion production
The Ministry of Agriculture will provide Tk 14 crore incentive to increase Sri Lankan onion cultivation.
Under this incentive, 36,000 small and marginal farmers of 24 districts across the country will get seeds and fertilizers free of cost, reads a press release of the ministry.
A farmer will get 1 kg of seeds, 20 kgs of DAP fertiliser and 20 kgs of MOP fertiliser for cultivation on one bigha of land.
Onion seed cultivation: Faridpur couple become role models, farmers aim Tk 300 crore worth of production
This incentive is being provided by the Ministry of Agriculture’s regular budget for agricultural rehabilitation assistance and the seed and seedling sector.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) will distribute the seeds and fertilizers.
Onion prices fall by Tk30 per kg as seasonal supply rises in market
The distribution of these incentives will start soon at the field level, it added.
No infrastructure can be constructed in forests: Saber Hossain
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Thursday said no infrastructure can be constructed in the forests.
“Forests must be seen as resources. Forests can’t be destroyed by constructing roads or any other infrastructure through the forests,” he said.
The environment minister was addressing a discussion organised by the Department of Forest, marking the International Day of Forests 2024.
He said laws are being formulated for forest conservation. Forest research will be increased.
Saber Hossain said all should work together in conserving forests, wildlife and biodiversity in a bid to present a beautiful Bangladesh for the present and future generations.
He said afforestation and monitoring activities are being digitized. The forest is being monitored and crimes are being curbed successfully in the Sundarbans following the introduction of smart patrolling system.
Mobile apps are being prepared to get tickets and other services online for tourists in the Sundarbans and other protected areas, said the minister, adding that the existing laws, rules and regulations are being updated to achieve various targets in this regard.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr. Farhana Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun; and Aranyak Foundation Chairman Professor Dr AJM Manjur Rashid, among others, spoke at the discussion presided over by Chief Forest Conservator Amir Hossain Chowdhury.
In the function, cheques were conferred to the beneficiaries of social forestry and prizes were distributed among the winners of the 'Tree Identification' competition held on the occasion of International Forest Day, said a press release.