KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced a subsidised solar panel scheme for farmers, in a major step to convert drip irrigation systems to solar power.
Sindh’s Agriculture Minister, Muhammad Bux Mahar, said that under this scheme, small and medium-sized farmers with agricultural land ranging from five to 25 acres will be provided subsidised solar power panels.
A total of 295 solar units will be installed on 4,000 acres of land through this scheme.
Farmers will pay 20 per cent of the cost through the cost-sharing system, while the Sindh government will pay the remaining 80 per cent.
Moreover, the government has also announced to distribute the Benazir Hari Card to thousands of newly enrolled farmers from the province. The registration and verification of 80,000 new farmers in Sindh have been completed, the minister said.
Sindh Bank will issue 50,000 cards in the last week of this month, and subsequently, an additional 50,000 cards will be issued every 20 days. Through the cards, farmers will receive subsidies and financial support.
How to apply for Sindh free solar panel scheme
The minister further said that farmers can forward their applications to the office of the Director General of Agriculture in Hyderabad by September 20.