The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) recently launched solar irrigation to improve agricultural elasticity project (solar), as the second phase of the "solar water pump irrigation" initiative launched in early 2016. The new project aims to make solar irrigation systems replace diesel powered irrigation pumps in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Aditi Mukherji, a senior social scientist at IWMI, said: "we are cooperating with government agencies in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, which will provide financial support and install solar irrigation pumps."

Mukherjee revealed that these pumps will be owned by private companies. They get loans from government agencies to provide irrigation services to farmers who buy water.

"Given that these countries already have a considerable number of solar irrigation pumps, our project is not to install more pumps, but to study their impact on agriculture and farmers' livelihoods." Mukherjee explained.

Mukherjee said: "if solar is combined with correct policies, institutional support and financial guidance, it will turn the vicious circle of water energy climate into a virtuous circle."

The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for development cooperation (SDC). "We will complete the project in the next four years and hope to benefit more people," Mukherjee said