ISLAMABAD
\nAs climate change, high energy costs, and water shortage continue to affect farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), experts have called for using solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) to help solve these problems.
\nSolar irrigation uses sunlight instead of fuel to pump water, making it cheaper, environment-friendly, and better for long-term use.
\nA meeting was held in Peshawar where experts, government officials, farmers, and private companies came together to discuss how solar irrigation can improve farming in KP.
\nThe workshop was organised by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) as part of its work on climate-friendly water solutions in Pakistan. The programme is supported by the UK government and CGIAR\u2019s Climate Action Science Program.
\nDr Mohsin Hafeez, Director at IWMI, said that most of Pakistan\u2019s water is used in farming, but much of it is wasted due to poor methods. He explained that around half of the water farmers use comes from underground, and this underground water is running low because it is being used faster than it is being refilled.
\nHe said solar irrigation systems can help reduce pressure on underground water and also cut fuel costs for farmers.
\n\u201cSolar irrigation is not just about technology. It helps farmers save money and prepares them to face climate problems,\u201d said Dr Mohsin. He added that IWMI is working with the KP government to expand solar irrigation in a fair and smart way.
\nTwo digital tools were introduced at the event \u2014 the Solar Suitability Mapping (SSM) and the Solar Irrigation Pump Sizing Tool (SIP-ST). These tools will help decide where solar pumps can be used best and what size of pump is needed for each farm.
\nEngr Kalsoom Rehman from the Agriculture Engineering Department said that although solar pumps cost more in the beginning, they last longer and don\u2019t need much maintenance.
\nShe said farmers need proper guidance when setting up these pumps to avoid overuse of groundwater. She also said solar pumps are already becoming popular in KP, especially in areas that don\u2019t get canal water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD As climate change, high energy costs, and water shortage continue to affect farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), experts have called for using solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) to help solve these problems. Solar irrigation uses sunlight instead of fuel to pump water, making it cheaper, environment-friendly, and better for long-term use. A meeting was held […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":483238,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-483223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n