Farmers in remote and tribal regions of Gujarat have found a solution to their water scarcity issues beyond relying solely on the Monsoon. The introduction of solar-powered pumps has significantly aided in addressing their water woes. This change has been facilitated by the implementation of the Central government’s ‘PM-KUSUM’ scheme.
The ‘PM-KUSUM’ scheme offers a subsidy of up to 30% or 50% of the total cost for installing standalone solar pumps and solarizing existing grid-connected agricultural pumps. Numerous farmers have attested to the positive impact of this scheme, highlighting the remarkable improvements it has brought to their agricultural practices and livelihoods.
Bharatbhai Waghmare, a farmer from Umarpada village in the tribal-centric Dang district, shared his experience of utilizing a solar pump on his farm. This pump has enabled him to irrigate his fields continuously throughout the day, allowing for cultivation in every season. He expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the government through the PM-KUSUM scheme, emphasizing the diverse crops they are now able to grow.
Gavjibhai Vasava, another farmer from Gavan village in Tapi district, detailed how the adoption of a solar pump has enabled them to cultivate three crops annually. With the solar pump’s support, they no longer need to manually irrigate at night or worry about escalating electricity bills. The Gujarat government has further supplemented the PM-KUSUM scheme by offering additional subsidies to aid farmers in installing solar pumps and plants.
Farmers in tribal and forested areas are benefiting from a 70% subsidy from the state government, in addition to the 30% subsidy provided by the Central government. This combined support has not only boosted the income of agriculture-dependent farmers but has also simplified their farming practices, enhancing their overall quality of life. The state has witnessed the commissioning of approximately 256 solar power plants with a total capacity of 695 MW, leading to the solarization of nearly 2.97 lakh agricultural pumps. As of now, 22,787 solar pumps have been successfully installed under this initiative.
