The Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Yojana is a government initiative launched by the
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in India. The scheme aims to promote the use of solar energy in the
agriculture sector, providing farmers with a reliable and sustainable energy source for irrigation and reducing
their dependence on grid power or diesel.
Objectives
- Energy Security for Farmers: To provide reliable and affordable energy for irrigation,
reducing the dependency on grid electricity and diesel.
- Promotion of Solar Energy: To encourage the adoption of solar energy in the agriculture
sector, contributing to India's renewable energy targets.
- Income Generation: To allow farmers to sell surplus solar power generated by their solar
plants to the grid, creating an additional income source.
- Reduction of Carbon Footprint: To reduce the carbon emissions associated with
diesel-powered irrigation pumps.
Key Components of KUSUM Yojana
The KUSUM Yojana has three main components, each targeting different aspects of solar energy usage in
agriculture:
-
Component A: Installation of Decentralized Solar Power Plants
- Objective: To install solar power plants with capacities up to 2 MW on barren or
uncultivable land owned by farmers or farmer groups.
- Features:
- Farmers can set up solar power plants and sell the generated electricity to the grid.
- This provides farmers with a regular source of income in addition to their agricultural
activities.
- The state government and DISCOMs (Distribution Companies) are responsible for purchasing the
electricity generated.
-
Component B: Installation of Standalone Solar Agriculture Pumps
- Objective: To replace existing diesel-powered irrigation pumps with standalone
solar-powered pumps.
- Features:
- Solar pumps ranging from 0.5 HP to 7.5 HP are provided to farmers.
- This reduces the dependency on diesel, lowering operational costs and promoting
environmentally friendly practices.
- The government provides a subsidy to cover up to 60% of the cost, with the remaining amount
split between the farmer (30%) and bank loans or other financing methods (10%).
-
Component C: Solarization of Existing Grid-Connected Agriculture Pumps
- Objective: To solarize existing grid-connected irrigation pumps, allowing farmers
to use solar power during the day and grid power as a backup.
- Features:
- Farmers can use solar energy to power their irrigation pumps and sell any surplus power back
to the grid.
- This reduces electricity consumption from the grid and provides an additional income stream
for farmers.
- The government provides financial support to help cover the cost of solarization.
Funding and Subsidies
- The scheme is funded by both the central and state governments, with significant subsidies provided to make
solar installations affordable for farmers.
- The central government typically covers 30% of the project cost, while state governments cover another 30%,
leaving farmers to cover 30% (often through loans or their own investment).
- For farmers in special categories like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, the subsidy rates may
be higher.
Benefits
- Cost Savings: Farmers save on diesel costs and reduce their electricity bills by using
solar power for irrigation.
- Income Generation: Farmers earn additional income by selling surplus solar power to the
grid.
- Environmental Impact: The scheme promotes the use of clean energy, reducing the carbon
footprint of agricultural activities.
- Empowerment of Farmers: By providing access to reliable energy and new income
opportunities, the scheme empowers farmers and contributes to rural development.
Achievements
- The KUSUM Yojana has seen considerable success in various states, with thousands of farmers benefitting from
solar installations.
- The scheme has contributed to India’s ambitious renewable energy targets, particularly in rural areas
where access to electricity can be limited.
- It has helped in reducing the load on the national grid, especially in areas with high agricultural demand.
Challenges
- Implementation Delays: Some regions have faced delays in the implementation of the scheme
due to bureaucratic hurdles and logistical issues.
- Awareness: Ensuring that farmers are aware of the scheme and understand the benefits of
adopting solar energy remains a challenge in some areas.
Conclusion
The KUSUM Yojana is a transformative scheme aimed at enhancing the livelihood of farmers while promoting the use
of renewable energy in the agriculture sector. By providing financial incentives and support, the government
encourages the adoption of solar energy, leading to economic, social, and environmental benefits across the
country.
