Straightforward
Redesigning the solar pump scheme
THE MINISTRY of New and Renewable Energy has rolled out a massive solarpump programme called the PM-KUSUM scheme. The scheme includes installation of 1.75 million off-grid and 1 million on-grid solar pumps as well as 10,000 MW of solar capacity in rural areas through decentralised groundmounted plants of 0.5 MW to 2 MW capacity. These plants will solarise the rural grid.
Just to contextualise, at present, nearly 30 million irrigation pumps are estimated to be operating. The KUSUM scheme can potentially convert one-third to one-fourth of these into solar-powered pumps in a short period. This rapid transition is possible because the scheme makes buying pumps extremely affordable for medium-sized and large farmers. With 30 per cent subsidy from both the Central and the state governments and provision to take bank loans for 30 per cent of the cost, farmers have to shell out only 10 per cent of the cost to buy solar pumps. But, what will be the implications of this rapid transition?
Let me start by acknowledging that the scheme will increase farmers’ income and reduce the agriculture power subsidy in states. Farmers will also get assured irrigation for at least six hours during the day and don’t have to remain awake at night to irrigate their farms. All in all, a good scheme for farmers, state and renewable energy. But is this scheme good in the long-run?
Agriculture in India has become increasingly dependent on groundwater for irrigation. Nearly 90 per cent of India’s total groundwater is used to irrigate 70 per cent of the country’s total irrigated land. While this has helped increase productivity and farmer income, it has also led to massive overexploitation of aquifers. The problem of groundwater overexploitation is driven by the availability of subsidised—often free—power for irrigation. States are today shelling out around 50,000 crore every year as electricity subsidy for agriculture. This is unsustainable in every aspect, including for the long-term future of farmers and India's food security.
The World Bank predicts that around 60 per cent of aquifers in India will be in a critical state by 2032, if we do not change the current practice of overexploitation of groundwater for irrigation. Large-scale deployment of solar pumps, without a comprehensive plan to monitor and control water usage, is likely to make this prediction a reality. The KUSUM scheme, unfortunately has neither considered the promotion of efficient irrigation, nor has it considered measures to reduce groundwater exploitation in its design.
But it is possible to redesign the scheme to increase the use of solar energy for irrigation, reduce groundwater exploitation and help small and marginal farmers. Let me offer a few key recommendations to improve the design of the scheme. One, KUSUM should only be extended to states willing to take strong measures to improve irrigation efficiency and control groundwater exploitation. Two, it must mandate micro-irrigation for solar pump beneficiaries. Also, the scheme should be dove-tailed with support for low water-intensive crops in water-scare regions. Three, deployment of off-grid solar pumps must be restricted to areas where the grid has not reached and groundwater is abundant. Off-grid solar pumps must be used for rural electrification or developed into a community-based model to maximise utilisation and reduce water wastage. Lastly, solarisation of rural feeders should be the preferred solution, given that it is most economical and provides additional income to farmers. However, this should be accompanied by a gradual increase in electricity tariffs, which is crucial to control groundwater exploitation. KUSUM is actually an irrigation scheme with solar as a source of energy. We would do better to position it as such.
Without a plan to monitor and control water usage, the solar pump scheme will exacerbate the groundwater crisis