Scheme Overview
Energy and diesel costs for irrigation represent a major recurring expense on Indian farms. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) helps farmers achieve energy independence by replacing diesel pumps with solar pumps and earning additional income by selling surplus solar power to the grid.
Three Components of PM-KUSUM
- Component A (Solar Power Plants on Barren Land): Setting up 500 kW to 2 MW decentralized ground-mounted solar power plants on barren/fallow farm land by individual farmers, FPOs, or cooperatives. DISCOMs purchase the power at a pre-fixed feed-in tariff.
- Component B (Standalone Solar Agriculture Pumps): Installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps up to 7.5 HP capacity to replace diesel pumps.
- Component C (Solarization of Grid-Connected Pumps): Solarizing existing grid-connected agricultural pumps so farmers can use solar energy for irrigation and sell excess electricity back to the local DISCOM.
Who is Eligible?
- Individual farmers owning cultivable land
- Groups of farmers, Water User Associations (WUAs)
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
How and When to Apply
- Check the central portal pmkusum.mnre.gov.in to find your State Implementing Agency (SIA) (for example, Mahaurja/Mahavitaran in Maharashtra, RRECL in Rajasthan, KREDL in Karnataka, UPNEDA in UP).
- State agencies open online application quotas in tranches during the year.
- Apply only through the official
.gov.inportal with your Aadhaar, land records (7/12 or Khasra), and bank passbook.