A TEAM OF FOREIGN DELEGATES FROM AFRICA, TUNISIA AND EGYPT REACHED JUGIAL VILLAGE IN HOSHIARPUR TO SEE SOLAR POWER LIFT IRRIGATION PROJECT

KUSUM ARORA

Hoshiarpur

After winning accolades for its success model worldwide, a team of foreign delegates Wednesday reached Jugial village in Hoshiarpur to witness the first of its kind ‘Solar Power Community Micro Irrigation Project’ in South Asia. Launched by Punjab government three years ago, the first ever solar lift irrigation project in Jugial village has not only changed the fortune of farmers tilling barren lands but also developed the Kandi belt of Punjab. The project covers Talwara and Hajipur blocks of Hoshiarpur, where water was being lifted through solar panels for lift irrigation. On Wednesday, a team of foreign representatives from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations including North and East Africa head Mohammad Al Hammadi, Tunisia Agriculture Ministry official Gabru J Ridia and Egypt Irrigation Ministry official Dr Ayman Abrahams. The officials were here for micro irrigation technology exchange. Team head Mohammad Al Hammadi said that the solar power lift irrigation project would be replicated in other places in the future.

“It is a great model to boost crop diversification”, he said. Divisional Soil Conservation Officer Hoshiarpur Naresh Kumar Gupta said that from its maiden journey, the solar powered community lift and micro irrigation project has rekindled the hopes of farmers in this region. “Earlier, the farmers were confined to the traditional wheat-paddy crop cycle and dependent on rain for irrigation. However, now through this technology, they have implemented crop diversification and reaping benefits”, he said. Gupta said that the foreign dignitaries from Africa, Tunisia and Egypt were here at Jugial village and also interacted with the farmers. “Under this project, water from Kandi canal was being supplied through solar powered lift irrigation to 1200 farmers of 14 villages of Talwara and Hajipur area. It covers 1700 acres (664 hectares) of land”, he added. Progressive farmers Sarla Devi and Satpal Singh sai that they were now sowing turmeric, ginger, mustard, vegetables, pulses, wheat, maize, lemon grass and horticulture. They shared that the project has changed their economic and social life. Notably, solar panels have been put up at five villages of the district, which was generating 1100 kilowatt of electricity daily.

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