The state government is planning to give a big gift to the farmers who install solar pumps. Under the new plan, small and marginal farmers will get solar pumps at just 10 percent of the total cost. The government will pay the remaining 90 percent. Big farmers will need to pay only 20 percent. The proposal for this scheme is ready and will soon be sent to the cabinet. This scheme is also seen as important before the upcoming Panchayat elections.
There are about 238.22 lakh farmers in the state. Out of these, around 93 percent are small and marginal farmers. The government is working to reduce the use of electricity and diesel in farming, cut down pollution, and help farmers earn more with lower costs. Solar pumps are being added to the irrigation system to replace electric connections. Irrigation is being promoted using solar pumps from 2 horsepower to 10 horsepower. So far, farmers were getting 60 percent subsidy on solar pumps. Now, the government is planning to increase this support.
Farmers Will Have to Do Boring Themselves
The Agriculture Department has prepared a proposal under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthan Maha Abhiyan (PM Kusum) scheme. According to this, small and marginal farmers who install solar pumps will get a 90 percent subsidy on the total cost, and big farmers will get up to 80 percent subsidy. A detailed plan has been made for this.
Farmers installing solar pumps will have to do the boring work themselves. The motor, solar panels, and other parts will be installed by the vendor company chosen under the scheme. The cost of a 2-horsepower solar pump is about ₹1.80 lakh, and the cost of a 5-horsepower pump is about ₹4.80 lakh.
Target of More Than 45,000 Pumps
Under the PM Kusum scheme, 79,516 solar pumps have been installed in the state from 2017-18 to 2024-25. A target of installing 45,000 solar pumps has been set for the year 2025-26. At present, about 70 percent of the land in the state is irrigated using groundwater.
Registration Required in PM Kusum Yojana
To get this benefit, farmers must register on the PM Kusum Yojana section of the Agriculture Department portal. After the last date fixed by the department, solar pumps will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis or through a lottery system. A selection committee will be formed at both the district and state levels for this process.