The Punjab government has announced to provide a subsidy of 80 percent to farmers on installation of solar panels for running drip/sprinkle systems. The farmers who have installed drip/sprinkle system during past and current financial year are also eligible to apply for this subsidy.
Special Secretary Agriculture (Marketing) and Project Director Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Improvement Project (PIPIP) Ehsan Bhutta said this while presiding over a meeting on Tuesday. Bhutta emphasised the need to create awareness amongst the growers about significance of solar system installation. He said that drip/sprinkle and solar system can help control the issue of water shortage and these new techniques can also help in water conservation.
The meeting was attended by high officials of PIPIP project, the executing agencies and consultants. On this occasion, the Regional Director (PMU) also pointed out that several High Efficiency Irrigation System (HEIS) are becoming non-functional due to high operating costs.
During the meeting, other components of PIPIP and activities undertaken by Director General Agriculture (Field) and soil conservation department were also discussed in length. On this occasion, Ehsan Bhutta directed the executing agencies to rectify the shortfall at the earliest.