Babila Rakwal, Chief Executive Officer of Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) launched a publicity-cum-awareness campaign for installation of solar power agriculture pumps under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyaan, popularly known as PM-KUSUM.
DDC Chairman Jammu, Bharat Bhushan, ADDC Jammu, Ramesh Chander, Joint Director, Agriculture Department A.S.Reen were also present on the occasion.
Senior Scientist and Head Krishi Vigyan Kendra SKUAST, Jammu, Dr. Puneet Chowdhary, President of Kissan Morcha, S.Tejinder Singh and many other senior officers, PRIs & farmers attended the event.
Rakwal said that PM-KUSUM was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India to uplift farmers in the nation.
She said that in the 1st phase, 5000 Solar Powered Pumps will be installed in Jammu & Kashmir, out of which 2500 would be installed in the current fiscal. JAKEDA CEO said that under PM Kusum yojana, Subsidized Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps in the capacity range of 2 - 10 HP willl be installed across the UT.
It must be noted that under this scheme, 80 percent subsidy will be given by the Government and farmers will have to pay 20 percent. The scheme will be executed in Jammu & Kashmir by JAKEDA, Department of Science & Technology.
The farmers were encouraged to take benefit of this government scheme. Rakwal highlighted the benefits of solar pumps over the conventional ones as it saves fossil fuel & electricity and preserves the environment. The participants were explained about PM Kusum scheme through a small video clip.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Director Agriculture highlighted that this intervention will definitely reduce the production cost of crops and help in increasing farmers’ income.
All the speakers were of the view that with the installation of solar pumps the dependence of farmers on electricity, petrol & Diesel will come down considerably & benefit the farmers economically.
