PM-Kusum Scheme/ What is PM-Kusum Scheme/ How to apply for PM-Kusum Scheme/ Eligibility and much more.
The PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme is a government initiative to promote solar power in the agricultural sector. It aims to add solar power capacity to India’s agricultural sector and benefit farmers by providing them with an additional source of income and reducing their electricity costs.
What is PM-Kusum Scheme?
The PM-Kusum Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) was launched in 2019 with three components:
- Component-A: Setting up decentralized grid connected renewable energy power plants.
- Component-B: Installing standalone solar agriculture pumps.
- Component-C: Solarizing grid connected agriculture pumps.
The scheme aims to add solar power capacity to India’s agricultural sector and benefit farmers by providing them with an additional source of income and reducing their electricity costs.
Component-A
Component-A of the PM-Kusum Scheme focuses on setting up decentralized grid connected renewable energy power plants on barren land. These power plants can have a capacity of 500 kW to 2 MW and can be set up by individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), or Water User Associations (WUAs).
The scheme provides a central financial assistance (CFA) of up to 60% of the cost of the project. The remaining cost has to be borne by the farmers or the other implementing agencies.
Component-B
Component-B of the PM-Kusum Scheme focuses on installing standalone solar agriculture pumps. These pumps are used to irrigate crops without the need for grid electricity.
The scheme provides a CFA of up to 70% of the cost of the pump. The remaining cost has to be borne by the farmers.
Component-C
Component-C of the PM-Kusum Scheme focuses on solarizing grid connected agriculture pumps. This involves replacing existing diesel or electric pumps with solar powered pumps.
The scheme provides a CFA of up to 60% of the cost of the project. The remaining cost has to be borne by the farmers.
Benefits of the PM-Kusum Scheme
The PM-Kusum Scheme offers a number of benefits to farmers, including:
- Reduced electricity costs: Farmers who install solar powered agricultural pumps or solar power plants under the scheme will be able to reduce their electricity costs significantly.
- Additional source of income: Farmers who sell surplus solar power generated from their solar power plants to the grid can earn an additional source of income.
- Job creation: The scheme is expected to create jobs in the solar sector, such as solar panel installation and maintenance.
- Environmental benefits: The scheme will help to reduce India’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable agriculture.
How to apply for PM-Kusum Scheme?
To apply for the PM Kusum Scheme, farmers can follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): https://mnre.gov.in/
- Click on the “PM Kusum Scheme” link on the homepage.
- On the PM Kusum Scheme page, click on the “Apply Now” button.
- You will be redirected to the PM Kusum Scheme portal: https://pmkusum.mnre.gov.in/
- On the PM Kusum Scheme portal, click on the “Farmer Registration” link.
- Enter your personal details and contact information.
- Select the component of the PM Kusum Scheme that you are interested in.
- Upload the required documents.
- Submit your application.
Eligibility Criteria for the PM Kusum Scheme
The following are the eligibility criteria for the PM Kusum Scheme:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- The applicant must be a farmer.
- The applicant must have a valid land ownership document.
- The applicant must have a valid bank account.
- The applicant must not have any outstanding loans with the government.
Required Documents for the PM Kusum Scheme
The following are the required documents for the PM Kusum Scheme:
- Copy of Aadhaar card
- Copy of land ownership document
- Copy of bank account passbook
- Declaration form
Links
- Official website of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: https://mnre.gov.in/
- PM Kusum Scheme portal: https://pmkusum.mnre.gov.in/
Impact of the PM-Kusum Scheme
The PM-Kusum Scheme is still in its early stages of implementation, but it has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector in India. It is expected to benefit millions of farmers and help to create a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector.
According to a report by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the PM-Kusum Scheme has the potential to reduce India’s greenhouse gas emissions by 28 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. It is also expected to create over 1 million jobs in the solar sector.