A radio mechanic in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur has devised a method for extracting gas from beneath the ground and using it to run irrigation pump.
Many local farmers have followed the method invented by Rabiul Islam to cultivate Boro rice in their fallow lands.
Rabiul was thinking up a solution to the persistent water crisis in Sukhnagari village of the upazila and nearby villages. Ordinary pumps could not lift water in the area as water tables had gone deep down and farmers, consequently, were unable to grow crops.
As part of his efforts to lay pipes deep below the ground, Rabiul was finally able to find water 220 feet deep. But he also observed bubble of gas there which was hindering the upper flow of water. Instead of getting frustrated, he was thinking how he could utilise the gas.
At one point, with the help of bamboo filter, Rabiul inserted a narrow pipe into the water pipe and was able to separate the bubble of gas. He adopted a special method for using the gas in petrol engines to run irrigation pumps.
After succeeding in doing that, the radio mechanic bought an old care engine and used the gas in that engine to irrigate lands without the help of oil or power.
He said gas obtained this way could be used for charging batteries, cooking and other purposes.
Rabiul’s specially designed irrigation pump helped grow Boro rice in more than 16 acres of land. Farmers were happy to have access to this low-cost method that helped them grow Boro rice.
The radio mechanic’s success has made farmers in nearby villages, including Tartapara, Jangalia, Khilkathi and Palisha, optimistic about growing crops.
“I have no land of my own and my motivation for devising this method came from woes of local farmers. I spent Tk8 lakh from experimentation to running the pump, though Tk5 lakh will be needed now to run a new pump using my method. As I’m not that solvent to install more gas-run pumps, I’ll call on the government to extend its assistance,” Rabiul told the Dhaka Tribune.
Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner, Jamalpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer and local agriculture officials have paid a visit to the village to see Rabiul’s invention.
It is a breakthrough, upazila agriculture official Syed Tanvir Ahmed, also an agriculturalist, observed upon seeing the gas-run pump.
“There are many tiny gas pockets across the country. As pressure of gas is low in those pockets, large-scale extraction is not done considering the economic aspect. We see bubble of gas in many ponds, canals and swamps in different parts of the country. I believe Rabiul’s method could be applied in those places. This will not only save power and oil costs of irrigation pumps but will also help farmers cultivate crops in fallow lands,” he explained.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dr Md Kamruzzaman said Rabiul’s invention had potential. He said Rabiul succeeded in separating the pressure of water and gas which is why it had become possible to lift both the substance separately.
While observing Rabiul’s innovative pump, Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Md Shahabuddin Khan termed it amazing. He said this method, if spread across the country, could help save a lot of money that is spent on fuel used for agricultural purposes and could help the farmers as well.
Shahabuddin also said steps were taken to inform top officials of Rabiul’s invention.