||Black and White Digital News ||
||November 13,2024 ||
JAMMU :The Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) organized an awareness programme on November 12, 2024, in Ramgarh, Samba district, to educate farmers on the benefits of solar-powered irrigation under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme. This event aimed to promote the adoption of solar energy among the farming community, thereby reducing their dependency on traditional power sources for irrigation and generating additional income opportunities.
1. Objective of the Programme:
The awareness initiative by JAKEDA underlined the Government of India’s commitment to enhance renewable energy adoption in agriculture, focusing on improving farmers’ economic resilience. By powering irrigation with solar energy, the programme is intended to reduce farmers’ operational costs, making agriculture more sustainable.
2. Presence of Key Government Officials:
The event was led by Shri Saurabh Bhagat, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary of the Science & Technology Department, along with high-ranking officials like Shri Rajesh Sharma, District Development Commissioner of Samba, and Dr. P. R. Dhar, CEO of JAKEDA. The involvement of multiple departments like agriculture and local administration emphasizes the collaborative approach required for effective outreach and implementation.
3.Breakdown of the PM-KUSUM Scheme Components:
The scheme consists of three major components aimed at empowering farmers through renewable energy:
Component A: Allows farmers to set up solar power plants on barren land (0.5 to 2 MW capacity), generating income through power sales to DISCOMs, with potential earnings of Rs. 40 lakh per MW annually.
Component B: Offers subsidized solar-powered irrigation pumps up to 10 HP, significantly lowering farmers’ investment with subsidies from both central and state governments, covering 80% of the pump’s cost.
Component C: Facilitates solarization of existing grid-connected pumps, enabling farmers to export surplus energy to the grid for additional income. This component also follows a similar subsidy structure to make solarization affordable.
4.Distribution of Informational Material:
Pamphlets detailing the subsidy structure, financial contributions from the government, farmer shares, and contact information for district nodal officers were distributed, ensuring farmers and officials alike had access to accurate information.
5.Action Points from Officials:
The Commissioner Secretary advised local agriculture officials to identify potential beneficiaries who could enhance their productivity with minimal irrigation costs. This step underscores a proactive approach to reaching out to farmers and streamlining their access to the scheme’s benefits.
6.Feedback from Farmers and Implementation Concerns:
Farmers expressed the need for a simplified process for obtaining solar pumps, aiming for quicker installations. This feedback highlights an operational bottleneck that could be addressed to improve scheme efficiency. Implementing companies, M/s KLK Ventures and M/s Aditya Solar, were also present to assist with farmer registrations.
7.District-Level Support:
The District Development Commissioner of Samba pledged ongoing support to JAKEDA for implementing the scheme, reinforcing the importance of local administration in achieving the initiative’s goals.
Broader Context and Importance:
The PM-KUSUM scheme aligns with India’s National Solar Mission and the Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging renewable energy in agriculture. Jammu and Kashmir’s participation in this scheme holds particular significance due to the region’s agrarian economy, where power reliability for irrigation remains challenging. By fostering solar energy adoption, the scheme not only reduces farmers’ electricity costs but also enables surplus power generation, adding a revenue stream for rural areas.
Additionally, such programmes contribute to the government’s overarching mission of doubling farmers’ income and achieving energy independence in rural sectors. This initiative also holds environmental benefits, reducing carbon emissions associated with diesel-powered pumps and aligning with India’s commitment to renewable energy targets.
JAKEDA’s awareness programme on PM-KUSUM highlights a multi-faceted approach to fostering sustainable agricultural practices and financial resilience among Jammu and Kashmir’s farming community. By educating farmers and providing them with tangible incentives, the scheme has the potential to transform the region’s agricultural landscape, bridging energy access gaps and supporting socio-economic development.
