The PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Yojana) scheme is a significant government initiative designed to promote the use of solar pumps in agriculture. Its primary objectives include enhancing energy and water security for farmers, minimizing the environmental impact of traditional pumps, and decreasing reliance on grid-connected and diesel pumps.
The agriculture sector consumes a substantial amount of electricity, with over 220 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps operating across the country, which accounts for approximately 18% of the total electricity generated.
The government provides electricity subsidies to support farmers, with funding sourced from the state's exchequer. Notably, 11 major DISCOMS in the country utilize 95% of the electricity consumed in agriculture, collectively providing over ₹1-lakh crore as an electricity subsidy each year.
Solar water pumps offer a dependable source of power for irrigation, even amidst power cuts. This is particularly crucial in rural areas, where power outages are increasingly frequent, leaving farmers without the necessary electricity to irrigate their fields during the day.
The PM-KUSUM scheme comprises three main components:
Progress in executing these components has been sluggish, revealing a notable gap between sanctioned and installed capacity.
Expedited implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme is vital to lessen farmers' dependence on traditional grid electricity and diesel pumps. This need becomes even more pressing during challenging times like erratic monsoons, where consistent irrigation is crucial for successful agricultural outcomes.
Upon full implementation, the PM-KUSUM scheme is projected to significantly diminish diesel consumption, thereby reducing the import bill for petroleum products. This transition is facilitated by replacing diesel pumps with more energy-efficient solar pumps.
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