USAID programme: agriculturists to get 50 percent aid for new tube wells

USAID in collaboration with Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) has launched an ambitious programme to replace old and inefficient agriculture tube wells with energy efficient tube wells with 50 percent subsidy from US. According to a press release, Fesco has established a special counter in Fesco regional Customer Services Centre Canal Road Faisalabad to provide information and direction to the agriculture community of this region.
The counter will also receive the applications from agriculturists intending to replace their old and redundant tube wells. According to USAID the tube wells installed in Pakistan have become old and depleted and are working with only 30 percent efficiency. Under USAID programme the agriculturists could replace their pump and motors of old tube wells by paying half of the cost. The remaining half would be contributed by the USAID. This change would not only give 20 percent saving in electricity bills but also ensure increase in quantity of water.
Under tube well efficiency improvement programme project of USAID as many as 729 agriculture consumers have filed applications for the replacement of old tube wells. After proper audit 644 cases have been approved while 225 consumers have deposited 50 percent share for the replacement of old tube wells/motors, while the remaining 50 percent amount would be contributed by USAID.
According to the officials of the USAID, this programme would help discourage the wastage of electricity in agriculture sector. It would also cut down the expenditures on agriculture farming but also help Pakistan to over come the energy crisis. It is important that earlier this facility was restricted only for the replacement of old tube wells. However, a proposal is under consideration to extend the facility of 50 percent financial assistance to the agriculturists intending to install new tube wells.