Solar energy is gradually being applied to farming in Pakistan, even as it grapples with unreliable electricity and rising fuel prices.
To the pleasant surprise of those who have tapped into the power of the sun, they have been able to overcome critical challenges in water supply, crop irrigation, and overall operational efficiency.
Agriculturist Mir Mazher Talpur is among those who recommends living in harmony with nature.
According to him, climate change informs us that the earth has revolted against the use of polluting and expensive gas, coal and LNG.
Living by his philosophy, Talpur has installed solar panels in his house and his agricultural lands.
He notes that the technology has become so affordable that even a goat herder in his vicinity now charges his mobile device using a small solar plate.
Solar tubewell user, Ahmed says that this form of natural energy has made him independent of fluctuating electricity and escalating fuel prices.
He credited a friend for helping install a solar tubewell to help provide reliable energy and significant cost savings.
A solar panel installer in the Mirpurkhas area told JBConnects that he instalsl solar panels in various cities and guides individuals remotely to achieve their objectives.
He emphasized the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of solar energy, highlighting its one-time installation cost and minimal maintenance charges.
Iqbal Nabi Soomro, an advocate for solar energy, stressed its eco-friendly nature, emphasizing that solar energy does not emit harmful smoke and has minimal impact on the environment.
He compared the costs of solar and diesel, noting that the initial investment in solar is recovered within a year.
“As a result, consumers avail free energy for the remaining year,” he noted.
Farmers interviewed by JBConnects say that the cost of operating tube wells goes up in the summer.
Hence, they maintain that installing solar systems makes it worthwhile investment, enabling operation of tube-wells all the year round.
Mir Mazher Talpur says that the economic problems faced by the nation makes it all the more imperative that alternate energy systems like solar power be embraced.
He emphasized the necessity of energy for essential activities like running flour mills and underscored the suitability of solar energy for such purposes.
According to Soomro, Chinese companies have played a predominant role in
Soomro highlighted the abundance of sunlight in the region and acknowledged the predominant role of Chinese companies in supplying solar panels.
He stressed however that local companies now need to step forward to provide solar panels.
At the same time, he urged the government to help the agricultural sector through providing subsidies and tax relief to companies that have stepped forward to provide environmentally friendly technologies.