Question : KUSUM Scheme for Promotion of Solar Farming

(a) whether the Government has recently announced Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahaabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme for promoting solar farming across the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the solar plants installed on barren lands provides off-grid agricultural solar pumps which is very helpful for farmers and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether this will provide extra income to farmers by giving them an option to sell additional power to grid through solar power projects set up on their barren lands and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of funds earmarked with the mode of fund disbursal to various States including Andhra Pradesh. State-wise, and

(e) the results achieved under this scheme so far; State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (I/C)
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (e) The Government of India is in the process of formulating a Scheme ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM)’ which, inter alia, provides for:

(i) installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas;
(ii) installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfill irrigation needs of farmers not connected to grid;
(iii) solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and also enable them to sell surplus solar power generated to DISCOM and get extra income; and
(iv) solarization of tube-wells and lift irrigation projects of Government sector.

The details on funds and mode of implementation will be decided on approval of the Scheme.
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