Pakistan is one of the few countries around the world that is lucky to benefit all weathers throughout the year, and land that is fertile and agriculture-friendly enough to depend largely on its cultivation and agricultural sector. According to one study by Jassar Farms in 2009, 21% of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product was benefited by just the agricultural sector of the country, while 11% depended on the livestock farming alone, producing 42 billion liters of milk of an annual basis.
For a country that highly dependent on its agricultural, livestock, dairy and poultry sectors, Pakistan and its farmers should be benefitting from another year-round factor that is available to us in abundance: the sunlight and solar energy. Farms and other non-industrial businesses like breweries can greatly benefit from solar energy, especially due to their open-space locations. While there are numerous reasons that agricultural businesses should consider and take the steps to go solar in the villages and farmlands of Pakistan, the cost can often scare them away from even looking into solar panel installations and solar energy solutions for agricultural establishments in Pakistan.
Agricultural Solar Project Financing
Before learning about the advantages of choosing and going solar, it is beneficial to learn about funding options for the sake of being at ease when doing your research as an agricultural businessperson or a farmer.
The Pakistan government provides all farmers with a subsidy for certain activities conducted under the On-Farm Water Management wing of the Agricultural Department of Pakistan according to OFWM/AgriPunjab.gov.pk. This includes a 50% subsidy on the total cost of an agricultural solar energy solutions installation for running a High Efficiency (Drip/Sprinkler) Irrigation System (HEIS). Other means of financing and funding your agricultural solar solutions installation costs is via one of the banking and financial partners of EBR Energy, including Allied Bank, JS Bank, and Bank Alfalah. You can also go through our Project Financing options.
Benefits of Going Solar to a Farm
EBR Energy provides solar energy solutions for agricultural and drinking water projects to clients in Pakistan, including individuals and government-subsidized agricultural establishments. Access to a reliable supply of clean water is crucial for human, animal and plant survival. Usually in agricultural settlements, all three are found together and often co-existing. In such situations, dependence on clean water is even higher. However, actual access to clean water while remaining within the budget boundaries is difficult for many agricultural businesses in Pakistan.
EBR Energy offers solar pumping products and solutions so that you can regularly get affordable access to drinking water.
Some of our solar pumping projects:
- Benefit for HEIS Users
HEIS or a High Efficiency Irrigation System is a set up used by agricultural farmers in Pakistan that allows drip or sprinkler irrigation for their lands instead of having to rely on manual, surface or rain-fed irrigation among other types. If a farmer is using an HEIS system to irrigate their crops and land, they can attain the 50% installation subsidy through On-Farm Water Management department of Pakistan.
- Cost Reduction
Whether you are a homeowner, businessperson, professional, or an agricultural farmer, going solar is always a step in the right direction for your finances and your annual budgets. For a farmer, this is even more advantageous because of the decreased overheard costs of paying for utilities like water pumping and electricity.
- Long Term Financial Gains
Living in a country with a developing economy and a minimum wage lower than other developed countries means that oil, gas, and general energy costs are constantly fluctuating and more often on the rise than remaining considerably stable. This means that planning for future months while being dependent on your agricultural prospects can be difficult if you don’t know what to expect in regards to costs, profits, and even losses if the crop or livestock is weaker at any point. By going solar, you can rest easy knowing that even if your agricultural situation fluctuates, energy costs reduce exponentially. You can even earn electricity grid credits for days when your energy needs are higher if you are connected to the grid. If you ever decide to sell your agricultural land and equipment, the property value would be much higher than without a solar set up.
- Advertise as a Solar-Powered Business
With the surge of renewable energy, solar energy, and climate change activists in Pakistan, you and your business are likely to gain traction and attraction from consumers of your products who prefer to buy from clean and green businesses. In fact, consumers and investors are more likely to accept cost raises once your business becomes eco-friendly since green farming helps increase business visibility and bring in more clients, and thus a monetary growth like none other.
- Cut Your Water Heating Costs
While heated water and cooling is not a utility required for most agricultural establishments, for dairy and poultry farms, hot water, cooling and even freezing products is a necessity to prevent them from spoiling and causing losses. By using a solar water heating system, your agricultural costs can be cut down immensely. Cooling and freezing is necessary when it comes to storage of chicken, meat, and dairy products. During the harsh winters and the scorching summers experienced in Pakistan, survival is practically impossible unless a farmer sells the whole live animals instead of animal products. Even then, when the weather gets too extreme, the living spaces of the animals have to be insulated and heated or cooled to prevent them from get sick.
As a farmer or agricultural businessperson in Pakistan, whether in the outskirts, villages, or as an urban farm, you can benefit from solar energy in multiple ways, and EBR Energy is your answer, providing solar solutions to agricultural businesses all over the country.
Contact our solar energy experts by calling the numbers below or emailing us with your requirements and we’ll get back to you!