The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to assist farmers nationwide with the the construction of solar pumps, grid-connected renewable power, and other renewable power plants.
The PM-KUSUM programme aims to provide Indian farmers with energy independence. It also expects to uphold India's pledge, made as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), to increase the proportion of new electricity generation capacity using non-fossil sources of fuel to 40% by 2030.
As per the rules set by the government, the following can be the inclusions of the scheme launched by the government.
1. The Kusum Scheme is being executed by: The Ministry in charge of this programme is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
2. Eventually, 1.75 million off-grid farming solar pumps would be distributed by the government.
3. On unused land, 10000 MegaWatt solar energy plants will be built.
4. The extra solar energy generated by the growers on arid lands will be purchased by the government power distribution firms, or DISCOMS.
5. DISCOMS will receive incentives to purchase this electricity.
6. The government should convert its current pumps and tube boreholes to solar power.
7. Solar pumps will be 60% subsidized for farmers. It will be transferred directly into their bank accounts. The federal and the state governments will split this funding. A loan from the bank will be applied for to cover 30% of the cost. Therefore, just the remaining 10% will need to be covered by the farmers.
8. Three elements made up the approved plan:
Component-A: The construction of smaller solar plants with a capability of up to 2 MW to increase solar capacity by 10,000 MW.
Component-B: 20 lakh independent solar-powered agriculture pumps are installed.
Component-C: Energy agriculture pumps, totaling 15 lakh, will be solar-powered.
9. One of the biggest systems in the world to give renewable energy to even more over 35 lakh farmers is the PM-KUSUM plan. Such that their farms will be solar powered.
The farmers are the main target of this initiative. So here are a few benefits listed that will be enjoyed by the farmers.
1. It will make it possible for solar energy production to become more decentralized.
2. DISCOMS power losses will be maintained in check.
3. The burden of subsidies on DISCOMS inside the agricultural sector would be significantly reduced.
4. Farmers will now have the opportunity to resell any excess energy generated from the solar plants installed on their arid fields to the grid.
5. It would give India's developing green economy a boost.
6. The programme has the potential to create immediate employment. According to studies that are currently accessible, each MW of small volume solar plants generates about 24.50 job-years. Therefore, the programme is projected to increase both self-employment plus employment prospects totaling 7.55 lakh employment for both trained and unskilled individuals.
7. The scheme will also assist in India's agriculture sector's de-dieseling. The implication is that the current diesel pumps would be changed.
8. The adoption of this programme will also provide advantages to farmers in the areas of water preservation, water security, and energy efficiency.
So, these are the benefits that are enjoyed under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.
When the initiative is started there should always be some results seen in that case. Here are the results that are seen under the implementation of the PM-KUSUM initiative.
1. Bring States Around each other: The viability of this decentralized solar power system depends on agreement between the Center and States. such that India's power sector cannot undergo any reforms without agreement from the Center, the States, and all other parties involved.
2. Profitable Solar Energy Rates: Considering the difficulties posed by higher implementation with complete maintenance expenses, the scheme must be more appealing in respect of benchmark prices for practical deployment and significant stakeholder involvement.
3. Sustainable agriculture: In addition to using solar energy, farmers must transition to drip irrigation, which increases agricultural output while reducing water and energy use.
When concerning the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program, there are also some agencies that are working as mediators and helping in proper implementation of each component of this initiative.
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