Influencing factors of adopting solar irrigation technology and its impact on farmers' livelihood. A case study in Bangladesh

Access to irrigation is considered critical for agricultural growth in Bangladesh. Solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) has emerged as a promising technology for sustainable irrigation practice in the country. This study reports the factors that affect the adoption process of SPIS in the farming community. It also explores the impact of SPIS projects on the livelihood status of the farmers. In this regard, 140 farmers were directly interviewed from the Meherpur district of Bangladesh. Random sampling techniques were followed, and probit model analysis was conducted to identify the socio-economic factors that affect the adoption process. Capital and composite livelihood indices were prepared to examine the impact of SPIS projects on farmers' livelihood status. The result shows that education and extension services had a statistically positive effect on adoption. By contrast, access to credit, farm size, and off-farm income had a significantly negative impact on the adoption process. The result also shows that farmers using solar-powered irrigation technology had a better livelihood index in different indicators, i.e., human, social, natural, and technical capital, than diesel-powered irrigation system users.