From Sleepless Nights to Sweet Harvests: A Farmer’s New Hope
For generations, Karnail Singh’s family in Haripur Tohana, Paonta Sahib, has lived off the land. But for years, his nights were filled with anxiety. His 95 bighas of farmland, bordering a forest, was a nightly feast for wild animals. Despite spending countless sleepless nights guarding his fields, he watched his hard work and potential income get destroyed, season after season.
“Farming started to feel like a losing battle,” Karnail Singh recalls. “No matter how hard we worked, the animals always seemed to win. We were losing hope.”
That hope was restored with the Chief Minister Khet Sanrakshan Yojana (Chief Minister Farm Protection Scheme). When Karnail Singh learned the government would cover 70% of the cost for solar-powered fencing, he saw a lifeline. With guidance from the Agriculture Department, he applied for the scheme, grouping his land into three clusters.
The result was transformative. A total project cost of ₹23.12 lakh was approved, with a substantial subsidy of ₹16.18 lakh provided by the state government. Within months, a robust solar fence encircled his entire 95-bigha plot.
The change was immediate and profound.
“The fear is gone,” says a relieved Karnail Singh. “For the first time, we can sleep peacefully at night. Our crops are safe, our hard work is protected, and our income has increased significantly.”
His success story has become a beacon for other farmers in his village. Seeing his secured fields and thriving crops, many are now inspired to join the scheme themselves.
Karnail Singh’s gratitude is heartfelt. On behalf of his family, he extends his sincere thanks to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for a initiative that has not only secured harvests but has also restored the confidence of farmers like him, putting them on the path to self-reliance.
