A campaign has been held to demand the inclusion of agrivoltaics or agrivoltaics in Bangladesh's renewable energy policy.
The campaign was organized by Onnochitro Foundation, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) in Mymensingh city on Sunday (November 9) morning.
The main objective of this campaign was to include agrivoltaics in Bangladesh's Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) and ensure coordination of agricultural and solar power systems in the national renewable energy policy. In the agrivoltaics system, it is possible to produce agricultural and solar power together on the same land. This allows farmers to continue producing crops on the one hand, and earn additional income by selling solar power on the other. As a result, their income increases, land productivity is maintained, and the environment is also protected. According to experts, including agrivoltaics in the IEPMP will increase the share of renewable energy and allow farmers to be partners in power generation.
Rebecca Sultana, Executive Director of Anyachitra Foundation, said, “Agrivoltaics is not just a combination of agriculture and power, it is paving the way for a green and sustainable future for Bangladesh. If farmers can produce both food and energy from the same land, it will ensure their financial security and will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level.”
Mustafa Md., Member Secretary, Forum on Ecology and Development Khairul Alam Tuhin said, “Agrivoltaics is opening the door to a new possibility in our agro-based economy. It is not just a renewable energy option but an integrated path to food security, climate resilience and rural economic revitalization. If the government gives early policy recognition, farmers will become the vanguard of this change.”
Amit Roy, President of Mymensingh Television Journalists Association, said, “This initiative is not just technological, it sends a message of social and economic change. The bridge that is being built between farmers’ livelihoods, land and energy production will open new horizons for sustainable development. The responsibility of the media is to convey the message of this positive change to the public.”
Development activist and researcher Emon Sarkar said, “We want farmers to establish themselves not only as crop producers but also as energy producers. If the agrivoltaics project is launched in char areas and uncultivated lands, it will increase local employment, ensure the participation of the rural community in renewable energy production and help build a carbon neutral Bangladesh.”
In the agrivoltaics system, the soil moisture under the solar panels is slightly higher, which is beneficial for many crops. It reduces soil temperature, retains water and protects crops from heat wave damage. As a result, agricultural production increases, water is conserved, and carbon emissions are reduced in the environment. Journalists, students, volunteers, farmers and representatives of civil society participate in it.
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