Four months a year, solar pumps for irrigation remain idle in drought-hit parts of Maharashtra
Four months a year, solar pumps for irrigation remain idle in drought-hit parts of Maharashtra

By Nidhi Jamwal

Under the Centre's KUSUM scheme, farmers are provided huge subsidy to adopt off-grid solar-powered agricultural pumps to meet the irrigation needs. But, in drought-hit parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada, about four months a year these solar pumps are of no use as water sources dry up. Experts call for reinventing the scheme

Under the Centre's KUSUM scheme, farmers are provided huge subsidy to adopt off-grid solar-powered agricultural pumps to meet the irrigation needs. But, in drought-hit parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada, about four months a year these solar pumps are of no use as water sources dry up. Experts call for reinventing the scheme

Monsoon Session: 19 out of 23 states have installed less than 40% of sanctioned solar irrigation pumpsets — Centre informs Lok Sabha
Monsoon Session: 19 out of 23 states have installed less than 40% of sanctioned solar irrigation pumpsets — Centre informs Lok Sabha

By गाँव कनेक्शन

Across India, 19 out 23 states have installed less than 40% of the solar pumpsets which were sanctioned under the PM-KUSUM scheme which aims at de-dieselisation of the agriculture sector by replacing traditional irrigation pumpsets with solar pumps. Details here.

Across India, 19 out 23 states have installed less than 40% of the solar pumpsets which were sanctioned under the PM-KUSUM scheme which aims at de-dieselisation of the agriculture sector by replacing traditional irrigation pumpsets with solar pumps. Details here.

Harnessing the Sun to Power India’s Agri Sector
Harnessing the Sun to Power India’s Agri Sector

By Nidhi Jamwal

There is a need to reinvent the PM-KUSUM scheme by bringing in equity and gender into India’s ambitious plan to solarise the agriculture sector. Solar irrigation pump sets must enable farmers to earn by selling 60-70 per cent of their solar generation.

There is a need to reinvent the PM-KUSUM scheme by bringing in equity and gender into India’s ambitious plan to solarise the agriculture sector. Solar irrigation pump sets must enable farmers to earn by selling 60-70 per cent of their solar generation.

Uttar Pradesh: Farmers To Benefit From Installation Of 30,000 Solar Pumps
Uttar Pradesh: Farmers To Benefit From Installation Of 30,000 Solar Pumps

By गाँव कनेक्शन

The Uttar Pradesh government is about to spend Rs 434 crores for the installation of solar-powered pumps to benefit the farmers in the state. The move is expected to reduce the power burden due to the tubewell irrigation in the state.

The Uttar Pradesh government is about to spend Rs 434 crores for the installation of solar-powered pumps to benefit the farmers in the state. The move is expected to reduce the power burden due to the tubewell irrigation in the state.

Can India’s solar irrigation scheme succeed without benefitting small and marginal farmers?
Can India’s solar irrigation scheme succeed without benefitting small and marginal farmers?

By Aishwarya Tripathi

Solar irrigation pumps installed under the PM-KUSUM scheme are meant to end dependence on diesel pumps, reduce pollution, save costs to farmers, and help reach India’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070. But to what extent is the scheme including small and marginal farmers, who make up 82% of farmers in India? Gaon Connection tries to find out.

Solar irrigation pumps installed under the PM-KUSUM scheme are meant to end dependence on diesel pumps, reduce pollution, save costs to farmers, and help reach India’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070. But to what extent is the scheme including small and marginal farmers, who make up 82% of farmers in India? Gaon Connection tries to find out.

Six months in a year, solar pumps remain idle in Bundelkhand. Why not connect them to the grid?
Six months in a year, solar pumps remain idle in Bundelkhand. Why not connect them to the grid?

By Aishwarya Tripathi

The solar revolution in the agriculture sector of Mahoba, Bundelkhand is picking up, but the solar pumps often remain out of use for almost half a year. Connecting these solar pumps to the grid can help evacuate electricity in the lean season and also provide an additional income source to the farmers via power tariff.

The solar revolution in the agriculture sector of Mahoba, Bundelkhand is picking up, but the solar pumps often remain out of use for almost half a year. Connecting these solar pumps to the grid can help evacuate electricity in the lean season and also provide an additional income source to the farmers via power tariff.

जानिए क्या है सोलर पंप योजना, कैसे ले सकते हैं इसका लाभ
जानिए क्या है सोलर पंप योजना, कैसे ले सकते हैं इसका लाभ

By vineet bajpai

"KUSUM scheme must go beyond just being a solar pumps scheme."
"KUSUM scheme must go beyond just being a solar pumps scheme."

By Nidhi Jamwal

As the Indian government promotes solar agricultural pumps for irrigation, experts call for the strengthening of the scheme by building groundwater conservation component in it and utilizing solar panels for agriculture-related activities during the months when these pumps remain idle due to water sources going dry

As the Indian government promotes solar agricultural pumps for irrigation, experts call for the strengthening of the scheme by building groundwater conservation component in it and utilizing solar panels for agriculture-related activities during the months when these pumps remain idle due to water sources going dry

A solar irrigation pumpset that fits into a jhola is helping marginal farmers
A solar irrigation pumpset that fits into a jhola is helping marginal farmers

By Aishwarya Tripathi

Compact and portable solar powered pump sets are making irrigation easier and farmers using them say it has had a positive impact on their crop yield in Jharkhand.

Compact and portable solar powered pump sets are making irrigation easier and farmers using them say it has had a positive impact on their crop yield in Jharkhand.

Sustainable groundwater development through solar irrigation in India
Sustainable groundwater development through solar irrigation in India

By Alok Sikka

Both over and under development of groundwater is limiting the adaptive capacity of Indian agriculture to climate change. Solar irrigation, expanding across India, may provide an opportunity to manage groundwater in both over and underexploited areas.

Both over and under development of groundwater is limiting the adaptive capacity of Indian agriculture to climate change. Solar irrigation, expanding across India, may provide an opportunity to manage groundwater in both over and underexploited areas.

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