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FAO: Adopting green technologies - Solar irrigation systems to prevent water scarcity and reduce carbon emissions in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, water scarcity threatens agricultural production and the livelihoods of farmers. Inefficient irrigation practices cause huge water losses that deplete underground water reserves. In addition, the excessive use of fossil fuels in running irrigation systems leads to environmental pollution that contributes to climate change and ultimately affects the livelihoods of farmers.

Duration 2m11s

Edit Version International

Video Type Video News Release (VNR)

Date 08/25/2021 3:39 PM

File size 240.39 MB

Unique ID UF2TA0

All editorial uses permitted

Production details and shotlist

UNFAO Source FAO Video

Shotlist LOCATIONS: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
DATELINE: February 2021
LANGUAGE: Natural / English / Bangla
LENGTH: 02’12”
SOURCE: FAO
RESTRICTIONS: Please give on screen credit to FAO

SHOTLIST

1. Aerial shot of solar system installation
2. Aerial shot of irrigated field
3. Wide aerial shot of irrigated fields
4. Close up of water sprinkler
5. Irrigated field with sign reading “Installation of solar irrigation system with buried pipeline”
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rajib Mahamud, Senior Forestry Specialist, FAO, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: “Here, we have utilized solar irrigation system which is incorporated with the buried pipe. So, the idea was to use the solar irrigation to reduce the dependency on the conventional system which depends on the fossil fuel run pumps and it contributes to climate change and contributes to the carbon emission. So, we tried to reduce these effects using this renewable energy.”
7. Farmers starting the engine of a fossil fuel powered water pump
8. Water coming out of a fossil fuel powered water pump
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rajib Mahamud, Senior Forestry Specialist, FAO, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: “On the other hand we are using a buried pipe system. This buried pipe systems directly channels the water from the source to the farmer’s field; and it reduces water loss from evaporation as well as seepage loss.”
10. Farmer walking towards solar installation
11. Farmer showing how to operate the solar powered irrigation system
12. Farmer switching on the solar powered water pump
13. Water filling a buried pipe
14. Water coming out the pipe
15. SOUNDBITE (Bangla) Mohammad Islam, a FAO supported farmer in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: “Before, we had to keep a huge area of land uncultivated as vegetable or paddy cultivation was not possible. Now with the solar irrigation system, we have brought those lands under cultivation again.”
16. Aerial shot of a field
17. Aerial shot of farmer harvesting
18. Wide aerial shot of farmers working
19. Aerial shot of solar system installation

Script In Bangladesh, water scarcity threatens agricultural production and the livelihoods of farmers. Inefficient irrigation practices cause huge water losses that deplete underground water reserves. In addition, the excessive use of fossil fuels in running irrigation systems leads to environmental pollution that contributes to climate change and ultimately affects the livelihoods of farmers.

To prevent water scarcity and save energy in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working with farmers to improve irrigation practices and crop production by using solar powered buried pipeline irrigation systems.

Conventional open waterways have been replaced with buried pipes to reduce water loss along transportation from water source to the fields. As a result, water reserves are less at risk of depletion and agricultural production increases.

Excessive use of fossil fuels in running irrigation systems often lead to environmental pollution. Solar powered irrigation systems have been adopted to provide reliable and affordable energy, particularly in rural areas, where cost of fossil fuel is high or where frequently occurring energy shortages cause disruption of water supply needed to irrigate fields.

SOUNDBITE (English) Rajib Mahamud, Senior Forestry Specialist, FAO, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: “Here, we have utilized solar irrigation system which is incorporated with the buried pipe. So, the idea was to use the solar irrigation to reduce the dependency on the conventional system which depends on the fossil fuel run pumps and it contributes to climate change and contributes to the carbon emission.”

Mohammad Islam, a father of three, is cultivating more vegetables after FAO built the solar powered irrigation system. FAO provided Mohammad also with five types of vegetable seeds and training on vegetable cultivation and how to run an agribusiness. Mohammad is growing nutritious food for his family and the market, including aubergines, beans, cabbages, different varieties of gourd, radishes, red amaranth and tomatoes on previously uncultivated lands.

SOUNDBITE (Bangla) Mohammad Islam, a FAO supported farmer in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: “Before, we had to keep a huge area of land uncultivated as vegetable or paddy cultivation was not possible. Now with the solar irrigation system, we have brought those lands under cultivation again.”

Mohammad is one of the many farmers to benefit from the first solar powered irrigation system installed by FAO. Seven more systems will be operational soon. On average, each installation will support irrigation of approximately 50 hectares of land benefitting about 100 farmers. FAO and Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension plan to replicate this initiative across the country.