THE failure of publicly funded solar irrigation projects reflects a deep crisis of maintenance, accountability and institutional follow-through. Reports on solar irrigation schemes in Manikganj show how weaknesses have undermined an initiative once intended to reduce farmer’s dependence on diesel and ensure affordable irrigation. About a decade after the introduction, most such pumps in three upazilas now lie idle, forcing farmers back onto costly diesel, now facing supply prblem, during peak farming periods. A solar pump installed in a Singair village in 2016 functioned effectively in its initial years, irrigating several bighas of land, before collapsing after its panels were stolen which were never replaced, pointing to security lapses and official inaction. Similar patterns are noticed at Harirampur and Ghior, where such pumps have been idle for years despite substantial public investment and the formation of local management committees. Although a few pumps in the district headquarters continue to function, the broader landscape is defined by inactivity, with farmers reporting the absence of maintenance, technical support and administrative oversight.
This is not an isolated administrative lapse but part of a wide pattern in agricultural infrastructure, where publicly funded, technology-driven interventions falter at the level of maintenance, monitoring and local accountability. Reports in recent years have repeatedly pointed to similar dysfunction in irrigation and rural energy systems across districts, where installed infrastructure gradually becomes inoperative for weak institutional follow-through rather than technical infeasibility. This is concerning in the current context of a deepening fuel crisis. The country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel has made diesel supply increasingly volatile, with recent shortage disrupting irrigation and forcing farmers to queue for limited allocations that are insufficient for sustained use. Given that irrigation still largely relies on diesel-powered pumps, any supply disruption directly threatens crop cycles, yields and, ultimately, food security. In this context, solar irrigation was not merely an environmental initiative but an economic safeguard designed to reduce exposure to such shocks. Evidence suggests that solar irrigation systems are not only cost-effective but can significantly reduce fuel dependency and emissions if properly maintained. The contrast between failed public projects and functioning privately managed solar pumps underscores that the issue lies less in technology and more in governance. Sustained maintenance, technical support and accountable local management would, therefore, not only revive the investments but also provide a crucial buffer against fuel uncertainties.
Authorities should initiate time-bound restoration of idle pumps, backed by clear accountability for maintenance and local management. Without immediate intervention, public investment will continue to erode while farmers bear rising costs. Reviving and scaling functional solar irrigation is essential to reduce fuel dependence and stabilise agricultural production.
