Muhammad Saleem

Providing solar panels to farmers, as planned by the Punjab government, will help reduce electricity and fuel expenses and improve agricultural productivity. Dr. Khan, an agricultural economist, talking to WealthPK said that our farmers need measures to help them cope with the skyrocketing rates of electricity and fuel as both are indispensable components of the agriculture sector. He said without these two facilities, farmers cannot move forward to ensure high yield.  He said the solar panels distribution project aimed to reduce electricity and fuel expenses will surely transform the agriculture sector and boost the financial positions of the growers.

Through solar panels, he said that farmers can cut down on their reliance on expensive fossil fuels and grid electricity. Expensive electricity and fuel are creating a host of issues for every segment of the society, however, the agriculture sector must be shielded from its menace as we heavily rely on this sector, he said. The solar panel distribution initiative is a win-win situation for both–farmers and the government. Elaborating his point of view, he said the farmers are struggling to make ends meet and the government is struggling to protect agriculture and environment.

Talking about the success of the project, Dr.Khan said that government policies are the backbone of its success. He said the government must extend incentives to farmers who are willing to adopt this technology. Besides, he said the government should launch training programs for farmers, enabling them gain experience in the proper installation and maintenance of solar panels. Without adequate preparation, he cautioned that farmers will not be able to hit the ground running and opportunists will start exploiting them.

Munir Ahmed, a renewable energy expert, told Wealthpk that solar energy could significantly improve environmental conditions as it is a clean and renewable resource that reduces carbon emissions. We need to cut down on our carbon footprint to ensure clean air and water resources. By switching to solar power, he said we can achieve this task easily. He said that sensing the urgency of climate change, we have to promote sustainable farming practices to turn over a new leaf.

This shift is crucial for growers and the agriculture sector; otherwise our fate is written on the wall, he warned. He urged policymakers to ensure that this initiative of solar panels reaches the grassroots effectively. For this purpose, we need a robust communication strategy featuring workshops and demonstrations in rural areas. He also stressed the need for collaboration with local agricultural organizations to spread the word about the benefits of solar energy. Kaleem Malik, a farmer, said that the initial cost of solar panels installation and their maintenance is a major stumbling block for growers as we know nothing about this technology.

“I support this initiative wholeheartedly despite the challenges of its initial cost. I believe this project will be a game-changer for the farmers who are very deeply troubled due to their surging expenses and diminishing profits,” he said. He said the majority of the farmers will find it difficult to shell out the upfront costs, although this source of energy will save their bacon in the long-term. It’s vital for the government to provide adequate subsidies to help farmers to harness the potential of  solar energy, he suggested.

Credit: INP-WealthPk