Solar Irrigation Boosts Crop Yield

A recent Bangladesh Bank study reveals that farmers are the primary risk-takers in the agricultural value chain, especially for essential items like rice, potatoes, onions, eggs, and broiler chicken. Conducted across 14 districts, the study attributes price increases mainly to supply shortfalls caused by seasonal factors, reduced cultivation areas, floods, and pest attacks. Unlike intermediaries who secure fixed margins, farmers face fluctuating profits or losses depending on market conditions.

In FY2023–24, Bangladesh produced 68.84 lakh tonnes of maize from 6.42 lakh hectares, with FY2024–25 targets set at 71.60 lakh tonnes from 6.51 lakh hectares. Despite high yields of 35–45 maunds per bigha (1 maund ≈ 37 kg), farmers in districts like Lalmonirhat and Rangpur face falling prices—now Tk 28–29 per kg, down by Tk 2–3 from last year—while production costs rose to Tk 11–13 per kg or Tk 14,000–16,000 per bigha.

North West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL) is set to boost Bangladesh's clean energy capacity by developing two new solar power plants with a combined output of 140 megawatts. The 80MW Padma Solar Power Plant will be located in Shariatpur and Madaripur

Bangladesh's tea exports jumped 57.55% in 2024, reaching 2.45 million kilograms and generating Tk45.96 crore in revenue. This marks a strong recovery from previous years when export volumes had dropped below 1 million kgs.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of two LNG cargoes from Singapore's Vitol Asia Ltd through the spot market, with a total expenditure of Tk 1,104.41 crore—one cargo costing Tk 549.09 crore and the other Tk 555.32 crore.

amuna Oil Company reported a 56% year-on-year profit increase to Tk 140.58 crore in Q3 of FY2024-25, driven by higher petroleum sales and increased interest income from deposits. Earnings per share (EPS) for January–March 2025 rose to Tk 12.73 from Tk 8.14 in the same quarter last year, while EPS for July 2024–March 2025 reached Tk 36.65, up from Tk 26.60.