Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Yojana, launched by the Government of India, aims to promote the use of solar energy among farmers, enhance their income, and ensure energy security in rural areas. The scheme is part of the government’s broader commitment to increase renewable energy capacity and support sustainable agriculture.
Objectives
- Promote Solar Energy: Encourage the adoption of solar energy among farmers to reduce their dependence on conventional power sources and diesel for irrigation.
- Increase Farmers’ Income: Provide additional income to farmers through the sale of surplus solar power to the grid.
- Energy Security: Ensure a reliable and sustainable source of power for agricultural activities.
- Reduce Carbon Footprint: Decrease greenhouse gas emissions by replacing diesel-powered irrigation pumps with solar-powered ones.
Key Components
Component A: Installation of 10,000 MW of decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants on barren or fallow land. Farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can set up solar plants ranging from 0.5 to 2 MW capacity and sell the electricity to the grid.
Component B: Installation of 20 lakh standalone solar-powered agricultural pumps. This component aims to replace diesel pumps with solar pumps, providing reliable power for irrigation and reducing operating costs for farmers.
Component C: Solarization of 15 lakh existing grid-connected agricultural pumps. Under this component, farmers can convert their existing electric pumps to solar pumps and sell surplus power back to the grid, generating additional revenue.
Financial Support
- Subsidy: The government provides a subsidy of up to 60% of the total cost of the solar pump. This is shared equally between the Central and State Governments. The remaining 40% is divided between the farmer’s contribution (10%) and bank financing (30%).
- Loans: Farmers can avail of loans from commercial banks, regional rural banks, and other financial institutions to cover their share of the project cost.
Benefits
- Cost Savings: Farmers save on electricity and diesel costs, reducing their overall expenditure on irrigation.
- Additional Income: By selling surplus electricity to the grid, farmers can earn extra income, improving their financial stability.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Solar pumps provide a reliable and sustainable source of energy, ensuring uninterrupted irrigation and better crop yields.
- Environmental Impact: The scheme promotes clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to environmental conservation.
Implementation and Progress
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Yojana, launched by the Government of India, aims to promote the use of solar energy among farmers, enhance their income, and ensure energy security in rural areas. The scheme is part of the government’s broader commitment to increase renewable energy capacity and support sustainable agriculture.
How to Apply
Farmers interested in benefiting from the PM-KUSUM Yojana can apply through the following steps
- Visit the Official Portal: Access the PM-KUSUM Yojana portal provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Registration: Register by providing necessary details such as personal information, land details, and intended solar project specifications.
- Submit Application: Complete and submit the application form along with required documents.
- Approval and Installation: Upon approval, the installation of solar pumps or power plants will be initiated as per the guidelines.