Agartala: Jan 13: The Tripura government has launched a solar pump installation project to benefit farmers in the state. This initiative aims to improve the irrigation system required for agriculture. The Agriculture Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, provided an update on the project’s progress in response to a notice by Kalyani Roy, MLA of Teliamura and the government’s chief whip.
The state government has taken significant steps to ensure irrigation and the use of water for other necessary purposes by installing solar-powered pumps under the PM KUSUM scheme. This initiative aims to help small and marginal farmers double their crop yield and income. The installation of pumps is progressing rapidly, with priority given to aspirational and ADC blocks. Farmers have reported increased production and income due to the solar pumps.
The total target for installing solar-powered pumps in the state is 10,895. So far, 3,616 pumps have been installed across various districts, benefiting 3,616 farmers and bringing 7,232 acres of land under irrigation. The installation of an additional 5,015 pumps is currently underway, which will bring 10,030 acres of land under irrigation and benefit 5,015 farmers. When the target of 10,895 pumps is achieved, 21,790 acres of land will be irrigated, with a total cost of 324 crore rupees.
The Minister highlighted the benefits of the solar agricultural pumps, including assured irrigation for at least 25 years, increased crop production, and no electricity bills. The government is also providing a subsidy of up to Rs. 1,19,000 for creating water sources, covering the cost of digging, which is not the case in other states where farmers bear this expense.
