Bengaluru, March 9, 2024—In a bid to boost solar power and sustainable progress, the Department of Energy, Government of Karnataka, today organized ‘Raita Soura Shakti Mela’ at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus GKVK in Bengaluru. The Solar mela aimed to diminish the reliability of conventional electricity for irrigation and promote self-sufficiency among farmers through the adoption of solar energy solutions.
Around 5000 farmers from all parts of the State participated and benefitted from the Soura Shakti Mela.
“Inaugurating and addressing the farmers at the Soura Shakti Mela, Hon’ble Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, I am glad to have inaugurated the Raita Soura Shakti Mela. Many companies have participated in manufacturing Solar pump sets. I thank all the Solar irrigation Pump set manufacturers in the mela. This mela has been organized for farmers. Farmers need to be aware of all the developments in the solar sector. Once these developments reach farmers, there will be an improvement in farmers’ income, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Said said during the Saura Shakti Mela inauguration.
In the last 10 years, farmers’ land holdings have reduced considerably because of the growing population and families. We are focusing on integrated agriculture, dairy farming, horticulture, sericulture, and fishery; only then can farmers benefit from this. The Chief Minister added that it’s important that farmers adapt new integrated farming techniques, and then there will be growth in farm income.
Commenting upon the states power generation target Chief Minister said- we planning to generate 60,000MW of electricity from the current 32,000MW in the next 7 years. Currently, Renewable Energy contributes 63% of power generation in the state.
“In Karnataka, we envision transforming the agricultural landscape where the sun becomes a steadfast ally in powering our fields. Our government is committed to championing initiatives like the ‘Kusum B’ project, aimed at incentivizing the use of solar pump sets. In a concerted effort to embrace sustainable energy and accelerate the widespread adoption of solar pump sets, the state government has significantly enhanced the subsidy, now standing at an alluring 50 per cent. This strategic move aims to facilitate accessibility for farmers throughout the State,” Energy Minister KJ George said at the Solar Mela.
Farmers will now only bear a nominal 20 per cent of the total cost, with additional provisions such as pumps, meters, and pipes being generously furnished under the scheme. This robust initiative underscores our commitment to empowering our farmers, fostering solar energy adoption and sustainable agricultural practices across the region, the Energy Minister added.
“By encouraging the adoption of solar pump sets, we want to empower our farmers to cultivate a sustainable future. Using the limitless energy of the sun not only ensures efficient irrigation but also cultivates a brighter, greener tomorrow for Karnataka. Together, as we sow the seeds of progress, we must reap the harvest of a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector, guided by the brilliance of solar innovation, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department Gaurav Gupta said during the launch.
Dignitaries Present
M.C Sudhakar, Higher Education Minister, KREDL Chairman T.D Raje Gowda; Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy; Mr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Managing Director, KPTCL; Mr. Mahantesh Bilagi, Managing Director, BESCOM; Mr. K.P. Rudrappaiah, Managing Director, KREDL, and other esteemed dignitaries were present at the event.
Key Highlights of the Soura Shakti Mela
• The Soura Shakti Mela showcased over 50 solar power product outlets/stalls featuring products from renowned vendors. The event also featured live demonstrations of innovative pump sets, facilitating a hands-on experience for farmers and promoting the seamless integration of solar technology into their agricultural practices.
• Experts conducted informative and interactive sessions, elevating the event into a truly enriching experience for the farmers.
• An interaction forum, “Raita Samvada “, facilitated meaningful exchanges between farmers, solar pump manufacturers, financial institutions, and government representatives, fostering a conducive knowledge-sharing and collaboration environment.
KUSUM-C Scheme
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India envisaged a sustainable solution for reliable daytime power to the irrigation pump sets by way of Feeder Level Solarization under Component-C of KUSUM (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Uththan Mahabhiyaan) scheme. The solar power plants will be installed near the substations to supply power to the Agri feeders.
Karnataka government has taken the initiative to arrange daytime power supply to the irrigation pump sets through Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uththan Mahabhiyaan (KUSUM-C) feeder level solarization scheme, by installing 1302 MW decentralized solar power plants through RESCO developers, which will supply power to 3,37,331 IP sets covering 806 Agri feeders of 248 substations. MNRE will grant Rs.1.05 Cr per MW as Central Financial Assistance. Further, MNRE has allocated 2,50,000 IP sets to Karnataka under Phase II, and tender will be invited after the solar capacity assessment.
KUSUM COMPONENT B
Aims to install standalone solar pumps for farmers, reducing their dependency on traditional grid-based power. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM). PM-KUSUM is a government initiative to promote the use of solar energy in India’s agriculture sector.
Under this scheme:
• Individual farmers will be supported in installing standalone solar agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP in off-grid areas where grid supply is unavailable.
• The standalone solar Agriculture pump will provide a CFA of 30% of the benchmark cost or the tender cost, whichever is lower.
• The state government will give at least a subsidy of 50%, a 30% subsidy from the Central Government (Ministry of Renewable Energy) and the farmer will provide the remaining 20%. Bank finance can be availed by farmers so that farmers have to initially pay only 10% of the cost and remain up to 10% of the cost as a loan.
• Under this component, individual farmers will be supported in installing standalone solar agriculture pumps of a capacity of 7.5 HP to replace existing diesel agriculture pumps/ irrigation systems in off-grid areas where the grid is unavailable. Installation of new pumps shall also be permitted under this scheme except in dark zone areas.
