Sure, here’s an article on the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana:
The Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana (PM-KUSUM) was launched by the Indian government in February 2019 with the aim of promoting solar energy among farmers in rural areas. The scheme provides farmers with financial and technical assistance to install solar pumps, solar power plants, and solar-based agriculture pumps. The scheme also aims to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on grid-based electricity.
The PM-KUSUM scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and is expected to benefit about 20 lakh farmers across the country. Under the scheme, farmers can install a solar-powered pump to irrigate their farmland, or a solar power plant to generate electricity for their own consumption or to sell it back to the grid.
The scheme will provide 30% subsidy for the installation of the solar pumps, and 50% subsidy for the solar power plants. The remaining cost will be met by the farmers through loans or their own savings. The scheme will also provide a ten-year warranty for the solar pumps, and five years for the solar power plants.
The PM-KUSUM scheme is expected to help farmers reduce their electricity bills, increase their income by selling excess power back to the grid, and increase crop yield by ensuring uninterrupted power supply. Moreover, the use of solar-based pumps and power plants will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help India meet its renewable energy targets.
The scheme has received positive response from farmers across the country. However, there have been some challenges in its implementation, such as the high capital cost of the solar pumps and the lack of awareness among farmers about the benefits of solar energy. To overcome these challenges, the government has set up a dedicated website for the scheme and is conducting awareness campaigns in rural areas.
In conclusion, the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana is a commendable initiative by the Indian government to promote solar energy among farmers and reduce dependence on non-renewable sources of energy. The scheme has the potential to transform the agricultural sector in India and contribute to the country’s sustainable development goals.