Islamabad, Feb 1: In a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a pioneering project to convert agricultural tube wells to solar energy. This initiative is part of the provincial government’s efforts to modernize farming practices and reduce costs for farmers.
Under the first phase of the project, 8,000 tube wells across Punjab will be powered by solar energy, offering long-term financial savings to farmers. The beneficiaries were selected through a lottery system, with Muhammad Nawaz from Attock being the first winner. During the launch event, the list of eligible farmers from Narowal district was also reviewed.
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The switch to solar-powered tube wells is expected to bring considerable financial relief. Farmers could save up to Rs. 10,000 daily and potentially over Rs. 3.25 lakh per month in energy costs. To facilitate the transition, the Punjab government is providing subsidies based on the system’s capacity: Rs. 5 lakh for 10-kilowatt systems, Rs. 7.5 lakh for 15-kilowatt systems, and Rs. 10 lakh for 20-kilowatt systems.
With over 530,000 applications submitted, a total of 385,000 farmers were deemed eligible for the program. The goal is to convert 87% of diesel and electricity-powered tube wells in the province to solar power by June 2025.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz highlighted the significance of this initiative, emphasizing that it will help reduce operational costs, improve agricultural productivity, and modernize the sector. She also discussed other farmer-centric programs, such as the Farmer’s Card, advanced farming tools, and training opportunities, all aimed at supporting the agricultural community in Punjab. This move marks a major step towards greener, more efficient farming practices, with the potential to transform the agricultural landscape of the region.
