Solar pumps boost micro-irrigation in Haryana

Chandigarh, February 20

Haryana has become the second state in the country after Gujarat to promote solar energy with the operation of solar water pumps in the promotion of micro-irrigation under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM).

This was stated by a government official here.

There is about 80 lakh acres of cultivable land in the state, out of which 75 per cent area is irrigated. The rest of the land has to depend on rain for irrigation. By installing solar pumps, diesel will be saved for farmers and income will also increase, said the spokesman. The Central and state governments give 75 per cent subsidy on solar pumps and farmers have to spend only 25 per cent of the amount. There was little work done in the field of solar energy in the state and only 492 solar pumps were installed until 2014. The present government prepared a roadmap to promote solar energy in Haryana.