Good news for thousands of farmers. Rajasthan is tapping into its huge solar energy potential by offering farmers subsidies for solar pumps. Through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM Kusum) Component ‘B’ from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Horticulture Department is helping farmers in Bikaner district by providing standalone solar pump systems with capacities of 3, 5, and 7.5 HP at a subsidized rate for advanced irrigation.
The goal of this initiative is to support farmers who lack electricity for irrigation and currently rely on diesel pumps or other alternatives.
Who’s eligible?
To benefit from this program, farmers need to own at least 0.4 hectares of land. For tribal farmers in designated scheduled tribe areas, the requirement is reduced to 0.2 hectares for the 3 and 5 HP pump systems.
The pump capacity will be assessed based on a technical survey conducted by the implementing company. Agriculture Officer (Horticulture) Mukesh Gehlot mentioned that farmers must apply online through the Raj Kisan Saathi Portal, providing the necessary documents for the subsidy.
Changes can be made to the pump capacity requested by farmers based on the technical survey. To move forward with the scheme, online applications are open until the end of February, aiming to complete the remaining 4,000 targets out of the initial 7,000.
Required Documents
Farmers need to submit their Jan Aadhar Card, a copy of the land jamabandi or passbook (proof of land ownership), an online self-declaration of their irrigation water source, and a declaration stating they don’t have an electricity connection, all submitted online.
How much subsidy will you get
For the standalone solar energy pump project, a subsidy of 60% (30% from the central government and 30% from the state government) is available under PM Kusum Component B. Additionally, farmers from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can receive an extra subsidy of Rs 45,000 per farmer for each plant from the state fund.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, has set the subsidy limit for solar energy plants at a maximum of 7.5 HP capacity. If farmers opt for a pump with a capacity of 10 HP or more, they will need to cover the extra cost themselves. The farmer is responsible for the remaining 40% of the total cost, and they can also secure a bank loan for up to 30% of that amount.
Farmers who use drip, mini sprinkler, micro sprinkler, or sprinkler systems for irrigation in their agricultural and horticultural crops are eligible for this scheme. Those employing advanced horticultural techniques like greenhouses, shade net houses, and low tunnels will also qualify. The scheme aims to prioritize small and marginal farmers whenever possible.