KUSUM- Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Maha Abhiyan

To promote solar farming by decentralized solar power production a new scheme was introduced in the union budget 2018-19. Some of the key points related to the scheme are

• Name of the scheme-KUSUM
• KUSUM- Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Maha Abhiyan
• Announced in-Union Budget 2018-19
• Time period of the scheme- 10 years
• Expenditure- Rs. 1.4 trillion

Aim of the Scheme:

• To incentivize farmers to run solar farm water pumps and also use their baron land for generating solar power.
• To improve farmers income and reduce dependence on diesel pumps through solar farming.
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will start implementing this scheme from the next fiscal year to promote solar farming among farmers.

Components of the scheme:
These schemes have four components.

• First is to utilize the Baron land by farmers. Government is planning to build 10,000 MW solar plants on barren lands 
• Second component includes installation of 17.5 lakh off grid solar farm pumps. 
• Third component is grid-connected farm pumps would be solarised. Under this solarising’ existing pumps of 7250 MW as well as government tube wells with a capacity of 8250 MW 
• Fourth component is distributing 17.5 lakh solar pumps.

Under this scheme an option will be given to farmers to sell additional power to the grid through solar power projects set up on their barren lands.

Expenditure of the Scheme:

• The total central financial assistance under scheme would be for a period of 10 years would be Rs 48,000 crore. 
• Under this scheme 60% subsidy is provided by the government. (30% from central government and 30% from state government)
• Another 30% will be met through loans while 10% of the cost will be borne by the farmer.

Positive outcomes of the scheme:

• Positive outcomes that are expected when the scheme is fully implemented across the country include 
• Promotion of decentralized solar power production, 
• Reduction of transmission losses 
• Providing support to the financial health of DISCOMs by reducing the subsidy burden to the agriculture sector. 
• The scheme would also promote energy efficiency and water conservation and provide water security to farmers.