Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif officially inaugurated the agricultural pipe’s well -solarization project today, marking a significant step towards sustainable agriculture in the province.
The first phase of the initiative will see 8,000 agricultural piping wells switched to solar energy over Punjab, Express News reported.
In a speech at the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz announced that successful farmers would be chosen through a lottery system.
The feature that was drawn was Muhammad Nawaz from Attock. She also reviewed the list of successful farmers from the Narowal District.
This project is expected to bring greater savings to farmers.
A typical farmer can save up to RS10,000 daily and more than RS3.25 Lakh monthly by switching to solar -powered tube wells.
The Punjab government will provide subsidies for solar systems: RS5 LAKH for a 10-kilowatt system, RS7.5 Lakh for a 15-kilowatt system and RS10 Lakh for a 20-kilowatt system.
The solarization project has attracted over 530,000 applicants, with 385,000 eligible for the lottery.
The majority, approx. 87%, of the pipe wells operating on diesel and electricity, switches to solar energy, which significantly reduces the dependence on non-renewable sources.
The minister set a goal to finish the first phase of the solarization project by June. Maryam Nawaz expressed confidence that this initiative will reduce the cost of agricultural production and lead to a revolution in agriculture.
She also highlighted other ongoing initiatives, including the farmer’s maps, agricultural mechanization and internships, all of which aim to improve the life of farmers.
She further emphasized that this solarization project would be a new chapter in the growth of agriculture in Punjab and give a great boost to the sector.
