Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana | Eligibility Criteria and Step-by-Step Application Guide

Are you a farmer in India looking for ways to ensure energy security and increase your income? Or are you someone interested in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture? If yes then you must know about the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana or we can say the PM-KUSUM scheme. which was inaugurated by the Indian government.

This scheme aims to add solar capacity of 30,800 MW by 2022 with total central financial support of Rs. 34,422 Crore including service charges to ensure energy security for farmers in India, along with honouring India’s commitment to increase the share of installed renewable energy capacity in the country.

That is why In this blog post, we are going deep into the details of PM-KUSUM, its objectives, components, benefits, eligibility criteria, and how to apply for it. If you are someone who wants complete Info. about this scheme then you must read this post till the very end,

What is Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana?

Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana which is also known as PM-KUSUM is a scheme launched by the Government of India to increase the income of farmers and provide sources for irrigation and de-dieselising the agricultural sector,

This scheme aims to ensure energy security for farmers in India, along with honouring India’s commitment to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non fossil fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or INDCs

The scheme has three components: solar pumps, grid-connected solar power plants, and standalone solar pumps

Let us tell you that the scheme provides various benefits to farmers, the environment, and the economy

In this scheme, farmers can avail of central financial assistance (CFA) and state government support for the installation of solar pumps and power plants

Also, this scheme has eligibility criteria that farmers need to fulfil to avail of its benefits.

Objectives of PM-KUSUM

Many objectives were presented under this scheme released by the Government of India, some of which are given below:

• To add the solar and other renewable energy capacity by 25,750 MW by the year 2022, with a comprehensive financial assistance of Rs. 34,422 Crore from the central government.

• To provide energy security for farmers throughout India.

• To reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote sustainable agriculture.

• To increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non fossil fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or INDCs.

Components of Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana or PM-KUSUM scheme has three major components, each designed to promote the use of renewable energy in the agricultural sector and offer benefits to Indian farmers, which are as follows:

• Solar Pumps: Under this component, individual farmers having grid-connected agriculture pumps will be supported to solarize pumps. The farmer will be able to replace existing diesel agriculture pumps with solar-powered ones. The solar PV capacity can be up to two times the pump capacity in kW.

• Grid-Connected Solar Power Plants: This component involves setting up decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants of individual plant size up to 2 MW,  Additionally, these power plants can be installed on elevated structures above cultivable land, allowing for the cultivation of crops below the solar panels.

The renewable energy power project will be installed within a five km radius of the sub-stations to avoid high costs of sub-transmission lines and reduce transmission losses, The electricity produced will be acquired by the local Distribution Company (DISCOM) at a predetermined tariff.

• Standalone Solar Pumps: In this component, individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP for replacement of existing diesel agriculture pumps or irrigation systems in off-grid areas where grid supply is not available, Pumps of capacity higher than 7.5 HP can also be installed, however, the financial support will be limited to 7.5 HP capacity.

Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana (PM-KUSUM) scheme has various benefits for farmers, the environment, and the economy, which are given below:

• Increased Income for Farmers: This scheme provides financial support to farmers for the installation of solar pumps and power plants, which can help them reduce their operational costs and increase their income.

• Energy Security for Farmers: The scheme aims to provide energy security for farmers in India by promoting the use of renewable energy in the agricultural sector.
• Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels: It reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and promotes sustainable agriculture by providing farmers with solar pumps and power plants.

• Lower Carbon Emissions: The scheme promotes the use of renewable energy, which can help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

• Lower Electricity Bills: It also allows farmers to generate their own electricity, which can help them save on their electricity bills.

Eligibility Criteria

The Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana (PM-KUSUM) scheme has eligibility criteria that farmers need to fulfil to avail of its benefits, Here are the eligibility criteria for the scheme:

• Farmers who have agricultural land and a grid-connected pump set of capacity up to 10 HP are eligible to install a solar pump of capacity up to 2 times the pump capacity.

• Farmers who have barren or cultivable land can set up a decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plant of individual plant size up to 2 MW.

• Farmers who have agricultural land and no grid-connected pump set are eligible to install a standalone solar pump of capacity up to 7.5 HP.

• This scheme is open to all farmers, either as individuals or in groups, and farmer-producer organizations.

• All water user associations, cooperatives, and panchayats are also eligible to participate in the scheme.

• The scheme is applicable to all states and union territories of India.

How to Apply for the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana

Farmers who are interested in availing the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana (PM-KUSUM) scheme can follow the steps below to apply for it:

• Firstly, visit the official portal of PM-KUSUM.

• Now, click on the registration section.

• Fill in the registration form that appears on the screen.

• Upload the necessary documents, such as Aadhaar card, land ownership documents, and bank account details.

• After that now you have to submit the application form.

• After the application is processed, the farmer will receive a confirmation message on their registered mobile number.

• The farmer can then proceed with the installation of the solar pump or power plant.

Conclusion

At the end we hope that you all may get all of your answers about this scheme. The Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana is a fantastic plan that’s going to change the way we use energy in India. It’s all about using the power of the sun and wind to make electricity and help farmers.

This plan will make electricity cheaper for farmers and also help them earn more money. Also it is going to help our environment by reducing pollution from dirty fuels.

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