Hoshiarpur/Chandigarh, August 1:
“The Punjab Government has constructed kandi canal for providing water for irrigational purposes to the farmers of kandi area and the first solar lift irrigation project at village jugiaal which is first of its kind in Punjab, is proving to be a boon for the lands falling in kandi area. The project is propelling the farmers to shun the traditional crop cycle and go in for the innovations in the agricultural sector thus increasing their income.”
Disclosing this, the Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Isha Kalia said that through this solar lift irrigation project (solar powered community lift & micro irrigation project) worth Rs. 40.93 crore the water for irrigational purposes is being provided to the 1700 acres (664 hectares) land belonging to 1200 farmers of the 14 villages in talwara and hajipur areas. The Deputy Commissioner said that this project ensures supply of water to the lands of farmers through drip as well as the fountain irrigation system leading to the conserving of water. This innovative initiative of the government is encouraging the farmers to shun the traditional crop cycle and go in for innovative techniques in the agricultural field.
The Deputy Commissioner further said that the capacity of the project is to ensure that 15.7 cusec water through drip technology reaches through kandi canal to the fields of the farmers. She also elaborated that 14 villages are being provided 100 percent water through drip and fountain system as per their need. Divulging more, she further said that the solar panel has the capacity to generate 1100 kilowatt electricity daily. She also said that those farmers of kandi area who were facing tough times due to the scarcity of water have now embarked upon the cultivation of turmeric, ginger, mustard, vegetables, pulses, wheat, maize, lemon grass and horticulture thus marching on the road to progressive farming. She also divulged that the progressive farming entails less usage of the water in comparison to the paddy.
The SDO Talwara Mr. Keshav Kumar said that he has been associated with the farmers of the region right from the initiation of the project to its completion. Furthermore, the Soil and Water Conservation Department has also displayed demo plot (exhibitions) in 3 acres through which the farmers are being made aware about the need to provide drip irrigation to vegetables as per need. Regarding the project, he said that 46 motors are running on the solar panel and one motor is of 20-25 horse power with the capacity to lift 70-75 meter (head) water. He also said that 3798 solar panels have been installed to operate these submersible motors whereas the project has been divided into 378 micro parts to ensure its smooth functioning with 18 water distribution lines connected. He also said that the project is being controlled through the computer software ‘Skada’/Cloud System and the main feature is that this solar project doesn’t entail any electricity bill.
The Farmers namely Balkar Singh and Arvind Kumar of Jugiaal, Amit Rana of Ghagwal and Rakesh Kumar of Chandoli Dehpur have said that they are marching steadfastly in the direction of prosperity and economic boom with the adoption of progressive methods in farming as the project being run by the Punjab Government has infused a new life into the farming sector of the state.
