600 farmers get solar pumps in Bijnor this year

Strap: Subsidised solar pumps becoming a rage among farmers

Bijnor: Farmers in Bijnor are increasingly opting for solar pumps to irrigate their fields due to the subsidy being provided by the government, and also because of the erratic power supply in rural belts. This year, as many as 3,700 farmers had applied for subsidized solar pumps and 600 got them.

The government is providing a subsidy of 70% on these pumps which are run on renewable source of energy. In the last three years, the government distributed 450 solar pumps in Bijnor. And this year, the number has jumped to 600.

“State and central governments are providing solar pumps to the farmers at 40% to 70% subsidy so that they could irrigate their field,” said JP Chaudhary, deputy director of agriculture department.

“Farmers are very keen on installing these pumps. Over 3,700 farmers had applied to get the pump in Bijnor district. This time, we got 600 solar pumps, which will be handed over to farmers as per the norms. In this financial year, government had increased target of providing solar pumps to the farmers. Government is providing 70% subsidy on solar pumps having a capacity of 2HP and 3HP, while 40% subsidy on 5HP’s pumps.”

“After deducting subsidy, the farmer will have to deposit Rs 51,840 to get 2HP and Rs 80,997 for 3HP solar pumps. Besides, farmer will have to deposit Rs 2,052,00 to get a solar pump with 5HP capacity,” he said.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes