The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, launched in 2019, is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering India’s farmers through solar power. The scheme seeks to address the energy needs of the agricultural sector while providing farmers with an additional source of income and contributing to India’s renewable energy goals.
Key Objectives of KUSUM
- Solarizing Irrigation: Facilitate the installation of solar pumps to replace diesel-powered pumps, making irrigation more reliable and sustainable.
- Additional income for Farmers: Enable farmers to sell excess solar power back to the grid, generating additional income.
- Decentralized Power Generation: Promote the creation of small-scale solar power plants on barren land, increasing distributed energy generation.
- Reduce Carbon Footprint: Contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by moving away from fossil fuels.
Components of the KUSUM Scheme
The KUSUM Scheme operates on three main components:
- Component A: Solar Pumps: Provides subsidies for the installation of standalone solar-powered irrigation pumps for individual farmers.
- Component B: Grid-Connected Solar Projects: Supports the establishment of solar power plants (up to 2 MW) on barren or uncultivable land owned by farmers, with assured income through power purchase agreements.
- Component C: Solarization of Existing Pumps: Subsidizes the replacement of existing grid-connected diesel or electric pumps with solar-powered ones.
Benefits of the KUSUM Scheme
- Reduced Irrigation Costs: Solar pumps significantly reduce or eliminate the recurring costs of diesel or electricity for irrigation.
- Reliable Power Supply: Solar power provides consistent power for irrigation, reducing dependence on unreliable grid-connected supply.
- Supplemental Income: Farmers can generate revenue by selling excess solar power.
- Environmentally-Friendly: Reduction of pollution and carbon emissions through the use of clean energy.
FAQs About the KUSUM Scheme
Who is eligible for KUSUM?
Farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are eligible.
How is the scheme funded?
KUSUM is funded with a combination of central financial assistance (subsidies), state government support, and farmer contributions.
Where can I find more information about the scheme implementation in my state?
State nodal agencies for renewable energy are responsible for scheme implementation. You can find their websites or contact them for specific details.
MCQs
The main purpose of the KUSUM Scheme is to:
A. Provide subsidized food grains to farmers
B. Promote solar energy in agriculture
C. Offer agricultural export incentives
D. Construct irrigation canals
Which of these is NOT a component of KUSUM?
A. Solarization of existing diesel pumps
B. Standalone solar irrigation pumps
C. Grid-connected solar power plants on farmlands
D. Free distribution of fertilizers
One of the benefits of KUSUM for farmers is:
A. Reduced dependence on grid-electricity
B. Potential for selling excess solar power
C. Environmentally friendly irrigation practices
D. All of the above