MD QUAMRUL ISLAM RUBAIYAT, Thakurgaon

In Molani village under Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, Soleman Ali, a self-taught innovator, is harnessing solar power to help Boro paddy farmers with a low-cost solution for irrigation.

Relying on his own technical expertise, curiosity and persistence, Soleman developed a transportable solar-powered irrigation device that can lift water from deep underground, offering a practical, affordable, and portable alternative to commonly used irrigation pumps amid rising fuel prices and frequent power outages.

Both local farmers and those from other areas are already being benefitted from the innovation, either by renting or purchasing the device.

After Soleman had left primary school due to financial hardship, he took up work as a bicycle mechanic to support his family.

Later, he learnt assembling instant power supply (IPS) systems, which sparked his interest in using solar powered electrical devices.

Without any institutional or industrial support, Soleman began working on his solar-powered irrigation system in 2013. The prototype, built with solar panels and other components collected from market, was successfully developed following continuous trial and error.

He later upgraded the system by adding a gearbox to the pump to regulate water flow, and a mechanism allowing the solar panels to be adjusted to the sun’s position.

He also mounted the entire structure on wheels, making the system fully transportable.

During a recent visit, Soleman demonstrated how the device operates on solar energy.

The device ranges from 1,220-4,400 watts, priced at Tk 60,000-2,10,000. The popular 2,440-watt variant, priced at Tk 1.5 lakh, has a three-horsepower pump powered by four 610-watt panels, that can lift about 700 litres of water per minute, enough to irrigate 8-10 acres of Boro fields in a season.

While conventional irrigation costs Tk 7,000–8,000 per bigha, his system reduces the cost to around Tk 2,500-3,000.

Soleman has built and sold over 100 devices so far, including 25 this year.

He also earns roughly Tk 36,000 annually by renting out each unit.

At present, he struggles to meet growing demand, operating six units himself while 20 more are being rented.

Farmers said they have been benefitted from using Soleman’s solar irrigation units.

Md Babar Ali, 53, of Thakurgaon’s Baliadangi, has been using a 2,440-watt unit for nearly four years, irrigating about four bighas of Boro field every season and supplying water round-the-year to his fish hatchery without additional costs after an initial investment of around Tk 2 lakh.

In Haripur, Md Shaheen, 30, purchased two units last year and is now irrigating around 65 bighas of land at a much lower cost than conventional methods.

The affordable technology has also drawn interest from farmers beyond Thakurgaon, including in Panchagarh, Sunamganj, Natore, and Rangpur.

Soleman’s use of solar energy, however, extends far beyond irrigation -- from welding machines to livestock and poultry farm equipment, as well as electrical appliances. In fact, his home runs extensively on solar power.

The innovator’s widespread adoption of solar-power has locally earned him the nickname “Solar-man Soleman”.

He has also secured financial stability for his family. His four sons are now self-reliant in businesses, and his two daughters have been married off.

Soleman said a non-government organisation, Eco-Social Development Organistion (ESDO), has distributed his solar-powered irrigation pumps among 18 beneficiaries under its agriculture-related projects, with 16 more units in the pipeline for delivery.

He urged the government for support.

Dr Muhammad Shahid-Uz-Zaman, executive director of ESDO, said Soleman’s device can irrigate croplands at significantly lower cost, benefitting small and marginal farmers.

Mazedul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, recommended scaling up the technology to ensure affordable and accessible irrigation for farmers.