PM-KUSUM Boosts Solar Agriculture: Over 21 Lakh Farmers Benefit Across India

The PM-KUSUM scheme, a demand-driven initiative by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has benefited 21,77,369 farmers across India by supporting solarisation of agriculture pumps and solar plants, according to data presented in the Rajya Sabha today by Minister of State for MNRE, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik.

Under the scheme, capacities are allocated based on state demand and milestone achievements, with State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) responsible for beneficiary selection and project execution.

Scheme Achievements (As of 31 December 2025)

• Component A (Solar Power Plants): 720.91 MW installed out of a sanctioned 10,000 MW.
• Component B (Individual Solar Pumps): 9,75,227 pumps installed, totaling 4,398.57 MW.
• Component C (Feeder and IPS Solarisation): 12,01,552 pumps installed, totaling 5,829.98 MW.

Financial Assistance

• Component A: Procurement-Based Incentive (PBI) of 40 paise/kWh or Rs. 6.6 lakh/MW/year for five years, with no Central Financial Assistance (CFA).
• Component B & C (Individual Pump Solarisation):
  • CFA of 30% of benchmark cost issued by MNRE, or tender-discovered prices.
  • North Eastern and hilly states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, receive 50% CFA.
  • States can provide additional 30% support; the remainder is borne by farmers.
• Component C (Feeder-Level Solarisation): CFA of Rs. 1.05 crore per MW (Rs. 1.75 crore per MW for NER, hilly regions, and islands). No mandatory state contribution is required; projects can be implemented in CAPEX or RESCO mode.

State-wise Financial Release

Significant fund releases include:

• Maharashtra: Rs. 4,486.03 crore
• Haryana: Rs. 1,307.48 crore
• Rajasthan: Rs. 957.21 crore
• Uttar Pradesh: Rs. 419.88 crore
• Gujarat: Rs. 330.86 crore

The scheme’s simplified guidelines, revised on 17 January 2024, aim to ease implementation and accelerate the adoption of solar-powered agriculture across the country.