Punjab to launch 'solar power generation scheme' for farmers

Punjab government will launch a 'solar power generation scheme' for the farmers to meet the growing challenges of land scarcity, alarming ground water table situation and depleting soil health in the state, officials said today.
The scheme will offer the land-owning farmers 'solar power projects' ranging 1 MW to 2.5 MW, an official spokesman said.
It will have multiple purposes of generating clean and green energy, meeting the challenge of land scarcity as well as developing the entrepreneurial skill amongst them thereby enhancing their income, he said.
The initial target is fixed at generation of 500 MW power under this scheme, he said.

"This scheme has been specially designed to meet the growing challenges of land scarcity, high cost of land, alarming ground water table situation and depleting soil health," he said.
The agricultural production in state has reached a saturation point and it becomes imperative for exploring more avenues for enhancing the income of farm sector.
"The time has come to develop entrepreneurial skills amongst farmers which will further give them confidence for setting up of agro-industries/food processing industries," he said.