In recent years, the Government of India has rolled out various solar irrigation schemes – PM KUSUM, Suryamitra Skill Development Programme, SPaRC Program, to name a few. These initiatives aim to encourage farmers to conserve groundwater and energy, increase their income, and enable more efficient irrigation through Substantial Investment Subsidies (SIP). Despite the multiple advantages of SIPs, including a low carbon footprint and low operational costs, some issues need to be addressed.
About Substantial Investment Subsidies
The Government of India under the PM KUSUM scheme promotes solar irrigation pumps by offering Substantial Investment Subsidies (SIP). The key objective of SIP is to help farmers afford solar pumps and power plants. Through this, the farmer can generate solar power for irrigation, with the excess being sold to power distribution companies at pre-determined rates.
The Need for SIPs
Indian agriculture heavily relies on subsidized power, creating an irrigation-energy nexus. This nexus often leads to depleted groundwater and a growing debt burden on power distribution companies. By adopting SIPs, this cycle can be broken, leading to multiple benefits.
Benefits of SIPs
SIPs offer an eco-friendly approach by shifting the groundwater economy from fossil fuel-based electricity to solar power. This is particularly beneficial in the west-south corridor, extending from Punjab to Tamil Nadu, where groundwater availability is low, and electricity is sporadic. The region, rich in solar hotspots, can significantly benefit from SIPs. Additionally, DISCOMs can relieve their subsidy burdens, and the declining prices of solar PV cells make SIPs more affordable.
Challenges Associated with SIPs
Despite the numerous advantages, SIPs pose certain challenges. These include the risk of over-exploitation of groundwater and the bias towards medium-scale and large-scale farmers already using water-saving micro-irrigation systems. The initial capital investment, despite subsidies, remains high, and the operation and maintenance of solar PV systems require trained professionals, seldom found in rural areas. Lastly, the financial costs of grid connection are enormous, often making SIPs an impractical solution to the irrigation-energy nexus.
Proposed Solutions
To address these challenges, awareness programs on efficient water management practices and the benefits of SIPs should be conducted. Additionally, promoting Joint Liability Groups among small and marginal farmers and ensuring their inclusion in existing solar irrigation schemes can make these initiatives more inclusive and beneficial.
