The Uttar Pradesh government will give 10,000 solar pumps for irrigation purpose to farmers at up to 70% subsidy on a first come-first serve basis this fiscal, state agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi said on Thursday.

Solar energy-driven pump set is an emerging alternative of electrical and diesel pump systems in farm irrigation.

Under the solar… pump voltaic irrigation pump scheme, the state would provide financial assistance of Rs 50,820 for DC (direct current) pumps having capacity of up to two HP (horse power), while pumps with capacity of two to five HP will get Rs 80,996, Shahi said.

In the case of AC pumps, the government subsidy is fixed at Rs 51,840 for pumps with power of up to two HP and at Rs 77,700 on pumps with power between 2-5 HP, he said.

“Farmers will have to register on the portal of the agriculture department by submitting bank draft bearing their share amount between November 15 to December 10, and thus get the benefit of first come-first serve system of the scheme,” Shahi said.

Small and marginal farmers are largely expected to take 70% subsidy on 2-3 HP solar pumps, a government official said. Farmers having landholding between 10-15 acres will go for 5 HP pumps, for which the subsidy is 40%, the official said.

“Since solar powered pumps can be operated during the day time, farmers do not have to work late in the night when electricity is usually supplied to them,” said Karan Dangayach, managing director at Shashwat Cleantech, a firm engaged in solar power and equipment business. “It is also a boon for farmers who have not been able to get electricity connection.”

Solar pumps also reduce the subsidy burden on power distribution and generation companies that can improve their profitability, he said.

Solar pumps are decentralised energy projects that allow the distribution companies to provide energy at the point of consumption without the transmission and distribution losses. Further, grid-connected solar pumps allow farmers to sell power back to the grid and earn extra in lean seasons when rainfall is not up to the mark, Dangayach said.

Besides, the government will also include NPA(Non-Performing Assets) account holders under this scheme, such farmers family members will get the benefit of this scheme who had taken the loan and died during this scheme.

Who Can Take Advantage of Loan Waiver Scheme

• The total land farmer should be less than 2 hectares.
• The loan amount should be less than Rs. 1 Lakh.
• Only those farmers can take the benefit of this scheme who has take the loan before 31 March 2016.
• The farmer Aadhar Card linked to Bank Account

For more information use following contact number

Contact Number:- 0522-2235892, 0522-2235855