Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government has unveiled a transformative initiative under the banner of the “Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana”.
With an ambitious goal of equipping 40 lakh farmers in the state with solar pumps, a significant budget allocation of Rs 447 crore was announced by state Finance Minister Jagdish Devda while presenting 2025-26 Budget in the state Assembly on Wednesday.
The provision of solar pumps is aimed at easing farmers’ financial strain associated with electricity costs, while surplus power generated through these pumps will be procured by the state grid, creating an additional revenue stream for farmers.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed optimism about the scheme’s potential, especially for addressing water scarcity issues in drought-affected areas, particularly Bundelkhand’s districts — Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, and Datia — as well as Vidisha, Shivpuri, and Raisen in the Betwa basin.
These districts are expected to see improved irrigation and access to drinking water. The initiative aims to irrigate 6,57,364 hectare of farmland and provide drinking water to 44 lakh individuals across these regions.
To encourage adoption, the government will offer a minimum 30 per cent subsidy for solar pump installations on agricultural land, with farmers covering up to 40 per cent of the cost as margin money.
Financial assistance through banks allows farmers to pay just 5-10 per cent initially, with the remaining 30 per cent available via loans.
Eligibility criteria mandate that applicants must own agricultural land and not have existing electric pumps in operation.
In a recent policy update, the government increased the grant amount for the scheme.
So far, 59,400 applications have been approved, and solar pumps have already been distributed to 7,325 farmers.
Additionally, the initiative incorporates the “Varun Mitra” skill development program under the PM Kusum Yojana. This program is designed to foster expertise in solar energy solutions, particularly in training technicians for solar water pumps.
Moreover, the scheme facilitates the setup of renewable energy projects ranging from 500 kilowatts to 2 megawatts, promoting a green agricultural revolution in Madhya Pradesh.
(IANS)
