So far, more than 57,000 farmers have benefited from the scheme as a result of the subsidy of up to 60 per cent given to the farmers of the state on solar pumps.
Solar-power pump
Rajasthan ranked the first in the country in solar-power pump installation in agriculture fields. So far, more than 57,000 farmers have benefited from the scheme. It is the result of the subsidy of up to 60 per cent given to the farmers of the state on solar pumps.
Now, the farmers, who have availed of the subsidy offered by the state government to install solar power pumps, have to no longer depend on the availability of electricity for irrigation of their fields.
At the initiative of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the farmers are encouraged to install solar pumps for irrigation instead of relying on electricity connections, diesel powered plants or other alternative means.
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The use of solar pumps for irrigation of the fields while on the one hand has reduced dependence on electricity, the green energy ensured less pollution on the other. What is more, the agricultural yield has also increased while the expenditure incurred on the electricity bills has been saved. Consequently, the income of farmers has increased making them economically self reliant.
Agriculture Commissioner Kanaram said an additional grant of Rs 45,000 was also offered to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers and 100 per cent subsidy on solar pump plants of 3 and 5 HP capacity to Scheduled Tribe farmers in tribal sub-plan areas.
He said under the Solar Energy Pump Project, a grant of Rs 982.95 cr has been given to 57,657 farmers in the last 4 years for setting up plants.
In the agriculture budget announcement made by the Chief Minister in FY : 2022-23, a grant of Rs 500 crore was proposed to be given to one lakh farmers in the next 2 years for setting up solar pumps, he said.
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