Punjab Agriculture Minister Ahmed Ali Aulakh said a comprehensive energy roadmap had been evolved to meet future agricultural needs through solar energy and biomass and Rs 10 billion had been set aside in the provincial budget 2012-13. A plan, he said, is also underway for promotion of biogas and attractive subsidy was being offered to farmers so that the rural population could meet its energy requirements through biomass. APP
He said solar energy techniques were being included in World Bank’s drip and sprinkle irrigation project to benefit small farmers. “The country is facing an energy crisis but the government has earmarked sufficient funds to build power plants in the next fiscal year,” he added.