Agrovoltaics campaign in char : Unique event in Mymensingh ahead of World Environment Day calls for policy support
Staff Correspondent, Mymensingh
Ahead of World Environment Day 2025, a distinctive awareness campaign was held in the remote agricultural lands of Char Ishwardia Union in Mymensingh to promote the concept of “Agrovoltaics” – a dual-use land technology combining agriculture and solar energy generation.
The event was jointly organized by Onnochitra Foundation, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), and the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) on Wednesday.
Held in the riverine char areas, the campaign brought together climate activists, farmers, youth representatives, and civil society members. Through poster exhibitions, community engagements, video messages, and social media campaigns, the participants highlighted the potential of agrovoltaics in addressing Bangladesh’s pressing energy and food challenges.
Rebeka Sultana, Executive Director of Onnochitra Foundation, emphasized in her keynote address: “Bangladesh faces an increasing demand for electricity and food while arable land remains limited. Agrovoltaics offers a sustainable solution by enabling both farming and solar power generation on the same land. It ensures optimal land use, increases farmer income, and contributes to rural energy self-sufficiency.”
Imon Sarker, a member of the Forum on Ecology and Development, noted, this char region is both disaster-prone and underdeveloped. Implementing agrovoltaic systems here can simultaneously produce clean energy and maintain agricultural productivity. It can be a vital tool for expanding renewable energy access in marginalized areas.
Jannatul Ferdous Mim, Member Secretary of Mymensingh District Citizens' Platform said, to protect farmers' land and ensure sustainable livelihoods, the government must integrate agrovoltaics into national policy. Institutional support is crucial for expanding this technology.”
Mamun Mia, Convener of the Mymensingh Sadar Upazila Youth Forum, added: “Youth engagement in this campaign has shown that awareness of sustainable technologies can spread rapidly among the next generation. Agrovoltaics could open doors to a green and resilient future.”
During the campaign, the organizers called upon the government to take the following key steps:
1. Formulate a clear national policy on agrovoltaics
2. Implement pilot projects in selected regions
3. Provide training and technical support to farmers and local entrepreneurs
Environmental advocates stressed that agrovoltaics presents a practical and scalable solution to climate change, agricultural land protection, and renewable energy development in Bangladesh. Especially in vulnerable and under-resourced regions like the char areas, this innovation could transform the economic and ecological landscape. “This was not just a campaign—it was the birth of a new vision,” said one organizer. “It connects agriculture, energy, and environment in a unified future. Similar campaigns are planned across other districts, with efforts underway to initiate dialogue with government agencies for policy advancement.” Notable attendees at the event included Mostafizur Rahman, Rakibul Hasan, Kotha Akter, Jeet Sarker, Mokhlesur Rahman, Ataur Rahman, Sohag, Subrata Barman, Poni, among others.
