Consider a farmer who never spends a thought on the price of electricity or diesel. He simply uses the energy of the sun to power his pumps and irrigate his crops. This makes him more independent. That is what the PM Kusum Yojana is empowering thousands of farmers in India.
What Is the PM Kusum Yojana All About?
PM Kusum Yojana is a scheme launched by the government in 2019 to persuade farmers to opt for solar energy. It enables them to install solar pumps on their fields and even small solar power plants on their fields. The rationale behind it is to cut down on their reliance on electricity and diesel and provide them with a chance to earn.
Why It’s a Game Changer for Farmers
That is the positive news, farmers are required to spend only 10% of the installation cost of solar panels. The remaining amount is borne by the central and state governments in the form of subsidies. That is why even small farmers can benefit from it.
Once they have installed them, they can operate irrigation systems free of charge by harnessing the power of the sun. They no longer have to spend a lot of money on electricity or fuel bills. Moreover, if they generate more electricity than their needs, they can sell it to the government and earn a profit.
How Much Land and Income
To set up a 1-megawatt solar energy plant, a farmer needs around 4 to 5 acres of land. That configuration will be capable of producing around 15 lakh units of electricity annually. If it is sold at government-sanctioned rates, that can generate an adequate revenue on a daily basis.
Solar pumps can be installed by even small farmers to save a significant amount of money on water bills.
Government Support and Subsidy Details
MNRE, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is in charge of the ministry. It gets a 30% subsidy from the central government. The state governments provide additional amounts as per their policies, occasionally even 75% of the total amount. That makes solar energy low-cost and accessible for most farmers.
How to Apply
Every state has its own portal for applying for PM Kusum. Farmers can go to their state government energy or agriculture portal. Additional information is also available on: https://mnre.gov.in/
The PM Kusum Yojana is not merely a solar scheme, it’s a step towards sustainable agriculture and higher returns for farmers from all over India.