Suryaa Business Desk: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced that the central government is preparing to relaunch the PM-KUSUM scheme as PM-KUSUM 2.0 with new modifications. The initiative aims to promote the use of solar energy in the agricultural sector.
The Minister stated that the new version is being designed to comprehensively address technical, financial, and policy-related obstacles encountered during the implementation of the first phase. Consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture are underway, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking a special interest in making the scheme more accessible to farmers.
The first phase of the scheme faced challenges regarding the cooperation of state-level DISCOMs, the release of subsidies, and land acquisition issues related to solar pump distribution, grid connectivity, and feeder-level solarization. To overcome these, the government intends to simplify guidelines and prioritize "agrivoltaics." This model involves producing green energy through solar panels installed above agricultural land while simultaneously cultivating crops.
Minister Joshi noted that since approximately 85 percent of farmers in the country are small and marginal, this model allows for electricity generation without losing agricultural land, potentially doubling farmers' income. The government is preparing to ensure the success of PM-KUSUM 2.0 by strengthening fund allocation, providing simplified loan facilities, and implementing advance planning.