Farmers will no longer have to depend on electricity or diesel for irrigation of crops, says an official of the agriculture department. In fact, from the month of October, farmers will get high power solar water pump under the 'Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme in collaboration with the central as well as the state government. Farmers will be able to irrigate their fields easily without any hindrance. Government has intensified the task under the KUSUM scheme. Moreover, it is worth noting that till now the state government was providing solar water pumps for irrigation to the farmers under the Chief Minister's new and renewable solar pump scheme.
Agriculture scheme
From October onwards, farmers can avail solar water pumps from the centrally sponsored Farmer Energy and (Kusum) scheme on the basis of Aadhaar card. According to reports, the Central Government has given its responsibility to Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) Company whose main purpose is to reduce dependence on electricity and diesel for irrigation. Also, under this scheme, all irrigation pumps have been targeted to be replaced by diesel or electricity instead of solar energy by 2022.
As per reports, the agency will be selected in the district while the district agency will be selected by EESL through a tender. And solar water pumps will be made available to farmers through the agency. To install solar panels under Kusum scheme, farmers have to pay 10 percent of the total cost of the equipment. Of the remaining amount, 30 percent will be paid by the central government in the form of subsidy while 30 percent by the state government. And for the remaining 30 percent, farmers can take a loan from banks. The government too helps farmers to take loans from the banks.
Moreover, this scheme will reduce polluted gases in the atmosphere.
What is the price?
The cost price of a 2 HP solar water pump is about Rs. 2,05,5800 which will release 1200 to 25 thousand 400 liters of water every day. At the same time, the cost price of 3 HP is 2,69, 8502 which is able to release 2500 to 60 thousand liters of water every day.
What will be the benefits of KUSUM Scheme?
The best part of this scheme is that there will be a reduction in carbon dioxide along with polluted gases in the atmosphere. It will save diesel and electricity. Farmers can be benefitted in two ways. First of all, they will get 24 hours of electricity for irrigation. And secondly, if they sell additional power to the grid, their income will increase.
