Context: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) has achieved only 30%  of its targets, raising concerns about its ability to meet the 2026 deadline.

Key findings of the Study

• Most of the implementation has taken place under component B, while Components A and C have seen minimal implementation. 

• Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps has enabled farmers to irrigate their fields during the day.

• Availability of cheap electricity for farmers leads to a lack of incentive to shift from electric water pumps to solar water pumps. 

• Non-availability of varying pump capacities in different regions. E.g. In Haryana, surface pumps of 5 hp and 7.5 hp are not available.

Recommendations of the Study

• Decentralized implementation model needed: Implementing agencies with on-ground knowledge of farmer demographics and needs are able to cater to farmers’ needs more effectively.

• Financial viability: Farmers should get the option to pay upfront costs in installments in order to make the scheme financially more viable for them.

• Increase in Central financial assistance: This should be subject to different states’ needs or prices of solar modules.

About PM KUSUM

• Launched in March 2019

• Objectives: De-dieselisation of the farm sector, providing water and energy security to farmers, increasing the income of farmers, and curbing environmental pollution.

• Target: Add a solar capacity of 34.8 GW by March 2026

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Components

• Component A: 10,000 MW of solar capacity through installation of small Solar Power Plants of individual plants of capacity upto 2 MW.

• Component B: Installation of 14 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps.

• Component C: Solarisation of 35 Lakh Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps.