Manikganj, April 12 -- Solar irrigation projects in three upazilas of Manikganj have failed to deliver expected benefits, with all the pumps lying idle due to poor maintenance, weak management and technical faults, forcing farmers to rely on costly diesel amid the ongoing fuel crunch.

Farmers said the projects, introduced nearly a decade ago to cut farmers' irrigation cost and dependency on diesel, are now lying non-functional.

Instead, farmers are struggling to irrigate their fields amid a growing diesel shortage and rising fuel prices.

A costly bridge in Manikganj waiting for roads

However, four pumps in Sadar upazila have remained functional, officials said.

Projects turn ineffective

In Singair upazila's Rasulpur village, a solar...