Maryam Nawaz inaugurates solarisation project for agricultural tube wells
Pakistan
8,000 tube wells across Punjab would be converted to solar energy through a lottery system
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the solarisation project for agricultural tube wells, marking a significant step toward energy efficiency in the farming sector.
During the inauguration ceremony, CM Maryam conducted the ballot for the project, with Muhammad Nawaz from Attock emerging as the first selected farmer. She also reviewed the list of successful applicants from Narowal district.
In the first phase, 8,000 tube wells across Punjab would be converted to solar energy through a lottery system. This initiative is expected to save ordinary farmers over PKR 10,000 daily and more than PKR 325,000 monthly.
The Punjab government would provide subsidies for solar systems, including PKR 500,000 for 10 kW systems, PKR 750,000 for 15 kW systems, and PKR 1 million for 20 kW systems. Successful farmers could select vendors in their districts for system installation.
Out of over 530,000 applicants, 385,000 farmers qualified for the draw. The first phase of the project is targeted for completion by June, with 87% of diesel-powered and 13% of electric-powered tube wells transitioning to solar energy.
CM Maryam Nawaz emphasised that the solarisation project would revolutionise agriculture by reducing production costs and enhancing farmer prosperity.
She highlighted complementary initiatives like the Kisan Card, agricultural mechanisation, and agri-internships designed to ease and improve farming practices.
