Sindh working on 11 schemes to boost use of solar power in agro sector

The Sindh government has launched 11 schemes for installation of solar-powered tube wells and pumping stations as part of efforts to improve and strengthen the province’s agriculture sector.

The schemes, worth a total Rs7.8 billion, have been introduced through three different departments and a total of Rs2630.505 million had been utilised on the projects till June 2017. For the new financial year, the government has allocated Rs2623.858 million for the schemes. 

These statistics came under discussion at a meeting joint meeting of the provincial irrigation and agriculture departments presided by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at the CM House on Wednesday.   

The CM said water shortages had gravely afflicted the agriculture sector of the province and his government had pursued this plan as a means to overcome the issue. He was briefed on the various projects and was told that the solar schemes of the agriculture department include a Rs100 million plan for establishment of solar dehydration plant under the public-private partnership mode in Khairpur, and a Rs802 million scheme for provision of solar water pumps and tube wells on subsidised rates all over Sindh.

The CM said it was an important scheme and the Sindh government’s share of the costs would be Rs802 million while the farmers would contribute Rs198 million.  P&D Chairman Mohammad Waseem said that during 2016-17, the government had allocated Rs238.142 million and the entire amount was utilised and the remaining amount of Rs563.858 million had been allocated for the current financial year. 

The chief minister proposed that the amount for solar pumps may be given through banks as it “would make the project more transparent”.  Irrigation Secretary Syed Jamal Shah told the CM that schemes launched include a Rs2087.110 million plan for boring and installation of 250 solar-powered tube wells of two cusecs. 

To this, CM Shah said that two cusecs would irrigate around 15,000 to 20,000 acres. “The purpose of these schemes is to support small growers, therefore other schemes may be worked out to support more and more farmers.” 

The irrigation secretary said a Rs1047.5 million plan for drainage system and installation of solar tube wells at Cantonment Area, Pano Aqil, was yet to be started.  During the last financial year, Rs522.763 million were allocated while this year Rs250 million had been earmarked. On this, the chief minister said that the schemes of solar power systems be executed by one agency and the task may be given to either the agriculture department or the irrigation department. 

He authorised the P&D chairman P&D Mr Waseem to hold a meeting with both the departments to work out a plan in this regard.  The meeting was attended by P&D Chairman Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Secretary Irrigation Jamal Shah, Secretary Agriculture Sajid Jamal Abro and others.