The Patkua model helps to increase production at several parts of Barind region. Patkua wells with solar panel lids are now providing irrigation facilities to the vegetable growers in drought-prone Sapahar upazila in Naogaon district.
Assistant engineer of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), Sapahar Rezaul Karim said that several wells have been dug in the upazila under a project of the Ministry of Agriculture using BMDA technology.
Each of the wells is 140 feet deep. The wells are constructed with easy access of rainwater through their sloping lids. A total of 16 solar panels are set up with the lids of a well to provide energy to a motor for lifting water from the wells.
Apart from irrigation uses, farmers can also collect the water for drinking and other household purposes, he added.
Rezaul Karim further said this alternative irrigation facility, named as 'patkua', is being expanded in the upazila with increasing demand from the mainstream farmers.
The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) developed the Patkua model that enables irrigation without using scarce underground water