The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) has been in the news lately, with the Union Minister of New Renewable Energy providing updates on its progress. For those unfamiliar, PM-KUSUM is a flagship initiative launched by the Indian government in 2019 with the primary objective of transforming the agricultural sector through the promotion of solar energy.
PM KUSUM’s Methodology and Objectives
Essentially, PM-KUSUM operates on a demand-driven approach. Its operation and allocations are contingent upon the demands of various states and union territories throughout India. The scheme aims to achieve a significant augmentation of the solar power capacity by reaching the 30.8 GW mark by March 31, 2026.
Its main objectives encompass de-dieselisation of the farm sector, enhancing water and energy security for farmers, and reducing environmental pollution by adopting renewable solar energy practices.
The Model of Operation
The scheme consists of three components. Component-A involves the establishment of decentralized 10,000 MW Ground/Stilt Mounted Solar Power Plants. Component-B targets the installation of 20 Lakh Stand-alone Solar Pumps, particularly in off-grid areas. The third, Component-C, focuses on the solarisation of 15 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps.
Recent Developments in PM-KUSUM
The scheme’s duration has now been extended to March 31, 2026. Other improvements include the introduction of state-level tendering for the procurement of standalone solar pumps and the inclusion of PM-KUSUM under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Note: Understanding AIF and PSL
AIF is essentially a financing facility launched on July 8, 2020, for the creation of community farm assets and post-harvest management infrastructure. Under PSL, the RBI directs banks to lend a certain portion of their funds to specified sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and others.
The Challenges Confronting PM-KUSUM
Despite its goals, PM-KUSUM faces several challenges. These include geographical variability affecting solar installation efficiency, time-consuming land acquisition processes, weak or unreliable grid infrastructure, and lack of proper water management practices that could exacerbate over-extraction through solar pumps.
Suggested Way Forward
Possible solutions to these challenges include implementing mobile solar pump stations that can switch locations based on irrigation needs and establishing water regulation policies and monitoring mechanisms. The scheme can also be linked with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This link could support the installation of micro-irrigation systems, thereby improving water use efficiency and crop productivity.
