The KUSUM scheme was organised by our respected Prime Minister for the benefit of the people. The Ministry and the Renewable Energy (MNRE) established the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme in 2019 to help the farmers with the structure of solar pumps, grid-connected solar and other renewable power plants across the country. So basically, in this article, you will get a piece of brief information about the KUSUM Scheme, the features of the KUSUM scheme and lastly, the benefits of the KUSUM scheme. The scheme comprising all three components aims to install a total solar capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022.

 Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan

The Prime Minister, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has launched Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan -KUSUM to provide financial and water security to the farmers. Has been approved to do so.

The PM-KUSUM scheme seeks to ensure energy safety for the farmers in India. It also plans to honour India’s dedication to raising the share of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources to 40% as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) by 2030. 

The PM-KUSUM scheme plans to add solar and other renewable capabilities of 25,750 MW by 2022 with the major economic support of Rs.34,422 crore, including service charges to the implementing agencies. This plan is valid till 31 December 2022.

Financing

Under this scheme, the central government will provide financial assistance of Rs 34,422 crore.

For Component B and Component C, Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will be provided for 30 per cent of the benchmark or tender cost, whichever is less.

The state government will give a contribution of 30 per cent, and the farmers will bear the remaining 40 per cent. Assistance can also be obtained from banks for 30 per cent of the cost. The remaining 10 per cent cost will be provided by the farmer.

50 per cent of central financial assistance will be provided to the North Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Lakshadweep and Andaman-Nicobar Deep Clusters.

Benefits of the plan

• Through this scheme, the rural landowners will get a permanent and continuous source of income.
• Farmers will be capable of using the newly developed energy for irrigation needs, and the surplus energy will be sold to electricity distribution companies. This will provide extra income to the farmers.
• This scheme will reduce carbon dioxide and will have a positive effect on the atmosphere. Combining all the three components of the plan, there will be a reduction of 27 million tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.
• Solar agriculture pumps under Component B will save 1.2 billion litres of diesel annually. This will also save the foreign interaction spent on importing crude oil.
• The scheme has the potential to create direct employment opportunities. With the increase in self-employment, this scheme will likely create 6.31 lakh new employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers.

The proposed scheme has three components:

Component A: Connecting renewable energy plants to 10,000 MW of decentralised grids built above ground.

Component B: Installation of 17.50 lakh solar-powered agricultural pumps.

Component C: Solarisation of one million solar-powered agricultural pumps connected to the grid.

The KUSUM Scheme Plan implementation

1. Component A and Component C will be implemented on a pilot basis to connect 1000 MW capacity and one lakh agricultural pumps to the grid. After the victory of the pilot scheme, it will be implemented on a large scale. Component B will be implemented in its entirety.
2. Under Component A, farmers/co-operative societies/Panchayats/Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) will be able to set up renewable energy plants with capacities ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW on their barren or cultivable land. Electricity
3. Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) will purchase the generated energy. The concerned SERC will decide the rate. Based on performance, power distribution companies will be given incentives of Rs.0.40 for five years.
4. Under Component B, farmers will be assisted in setting up solar pumps up to 7.5 HP capacity. The scheme allows the pump capacity to be treated with the solar PV capacity (in KW).
5. Under Component C of the scheme, farmers will be assisted solarization of pumps with a capacity of 7.5 HP. In this scheme, the pump capacity is assumed to equal twice the solar PV capacity.

Conclusion

Many states in India are drought-affected. Due to this, the farmers cultivating there have to suffer a lot. Given the difficulties of the farmers, the Central Government has started Prime Minister Kusum Yojana. The main objective of Kusum Yojana is to provide free electricity to the farmers of the country. Under this scheme, the farmers are given the facility of solar panels for irrigation. Farmers will get double benefits through Kusum Yojana, and their income will also increase. So basically, you have got a brief idea about the KUSUM scheme and the features of the KUSUM scheme and the benefits of the KUSUM scheme too.