Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif officially inaugurated the agricultural tube well solarisation project today, marking a significant step towards sustainable farming in the province.
The first phase of the initiative will see 8,000 agricultural tube wells switched to solar power across Punjab, Express News reported.
Speaking at the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz announced that successful farmers would be selected through a lottery system.
The first name drawn was Muhammad Nawaz from Attock. She also reviewed the list of successful farmers from Narowal district.
This project is expected to bring major 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 solarisation project has attracted over 530,000 applicants, with 385,000 eligible for the lottery.
The majority, about 87%, of the tube wells operating on diesel and electricity will transition to solar energy, significantly reducing reliance on non-renewable sources.
The Chief Minister set a target to complete the first phase of the solarisation project by June. Maryam Nawaz expressed confidence that this initiative will reduce the cost of agricultural production and bring about a revolution in farming.
She also highlighted other ongoing initiatives, including the Farmer’s Card, agricultural mechanisation, and internships, all of which are aimed at improving the lives of farmers.
She further emphasized that this solarisation project would be a new chapter in the growth of agriculture in Punjab and provide a major boost to the sector.
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