SHOPIAN: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme was today kick started for farmers of the district by Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) at Meeting Hall, DC Office Complex here.
The occasion marked the implementation of installation of Solar power Agriculture pumps in the district under PM-KUSUM, Yojana.
Speaking on the occasion, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani said that the Solar backed irrigation mechanism is being introduced under the PM-KUSUM scheme and is bound to transform the agriculture sector and also enhance the livelihoods of small to marginal farmers.
He said that the scheme launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Government of India envisages distribution of subsidized Solar powered Agricultural pumps. He added that the scheme provides for 50 percent subsidy from the Central Government, 30 percent from Government of J&K and only 20 percent as farmers share with a 05 year warranty.
While addressing the participants, ADC exhorted upon the district officers to sensitize the farmers about the scheme and encourage them to reap maximum benefits. He said the changing rainfall patterns have added to farmers’ woes and it is thus critical to look into ways to enhance agricultural production by increasing cropping intensity and employing effective irrigation techniques.
“For the first time, farmers can have control over water and electricity supply through solar water pumps (SWP), this new cost efficient technology is bound to empower farmers” added ADC Shopian.
He also said that PM-KUSUM is a major step towards having Green irrigation.
Later, an interactive session was also held in which various technical and non-technical queries raised by farmers were addressed by technical experts of JAKEDA.
Among others, Assistant Director, Planning, Touseef Ahmed, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, Sr. Technical Officer, Rabia Noor, Executive Engineers, Aushak Hussain Malik, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat and progressive farmers in large numbers were present.