Rajkot, March 23 : Ashok Makwana, a farmer of Khambhala village in Paddhari taluka of the city, faced immense hardships in irrigating his fields due to erratic power supply, but a very welcome change has happened in his life, thanks to solar panels.

Solar panels have brought a new twist in his life, helping him to irrigate the fields when he wants and also reducing dependence on untimely supply of electricity.

Today, Ashok Makwana is a relieved person and is advising fellow farmers to benefit from the government's solar panel scheme.

Sharing his experience with IANS, he said: "No matter whatever the weather is, be it monsoon or summer, the solar panel always works. I am able to irrigate the land anytime. Also, the electricity bill has become zero, which has given big relief in expenses.

"The solar panel works very well, and there is no tension of electricity. It is very beneficial and cost-effective solution. The system works even on rainy days, however, its efficiency reduces a bit when it is cloudy, but it still keeps working all the time."

Calling this scheme a boon for farmers, he appealed to others to avail the benefits by installing solar panels. He said that this would not only curtail power bills but also give strength to farming.

Some months ago, as the power crisis became increasingly troubling, he decided to install solar panels under the Prime Minister's Kusum Yojana.

This decision completely changed his lifestyle.

He has about nine bighas of land, and now he is irrigating his fields through solar panels.

With solar panels, he is able to spill water on the fields without any expense. Earlier, he had to wait for electricity. Also, filling water in the wells and borewells has become easy with the help of solar panels.

"They are also helpful in drip irrigation system, a viable agricultural technique used for water conservation," he said.

/IANS