The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Yojana is an initiative launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to promote the use of solar energy among farmers and enhance their income while reducing dependence on traditional power sources. The scheme is divided into three main components. Under Component-A, farmers, cooperatives, and panchayats can install solar power plants up to 2 MW capacity on their barren or unused land and sell the generated electricity to DISCOMs, thereby earning regular income. Component-B focuses on providing standalone solar pumps to farmers who do not have access to the power grid, allowing them to irrigate their fields without relying on expensive diesel. Component-C involves solarizing existing grid-connected agricultural pumps so that farmers can use solar energy for irrigation and sell any surplus electricity back to the grid. Overall, PM-KUSUM aims to ensure energy security for farmers, promote clean energy, and support sustainable agricultural practices in India.
