Energise the Dhopakandi Farm with Solar Power
In the Faridpur district of Bangladesh, access to reliable irrigation has until recently been a major challenge for many farmers. In Dhopakandi, farmers depended on diesel-powered pumps to extract groundwater, a costly system vulnerable to fuel price fluctuations and limited in efficiency.
With the “Energise the Dhopakandi Farm” initiative, this reality is beginning to change. To date, three projects involving the installation of solar-powered submersible pumps have been completed, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution. By replacing diesel with renewable energy, these systems now ensure more consistent irrigation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and lower polluting emissions.
The project is coordinated locally by Mr. Majed Ali Khan, a community leader representing 25 farmers, and implemented by Solar Shine in partnership with Rahimafrooz, a well-known technical provider in Bangladesh. The Society Development Committee (SDC), a development actor active for more than 36 years in the country, ensures local financing.
Building on these initial achievements, Energise Dhopakandi now paves the way for additional solar agricultural projects already submitted to SDC for other farms and rural communities. The ambition remains the same: to develop a reliable, economical, and sustainable irrigation model capable of strengthening food security and inspiring the energy transition across many regions of Bangladesh.
Project Financing
The project’s financing is now complete and was secured through the combined contributions of all involved stakeholders. The farmers provided $46 of their own funds, while the Fair Energy Dhopakandi fundraising effort supported by an American donor from the diaspora who added $275 to the budget. The RahimaFrooz Foundation also contributed significantly with $1,500, and SDC granted an additional $820. In total, $2,596 was mobilized to make the solar installations possible.
