Article: Anand Solanki-G.S. Kesharwani

Chhattisgarh is one of the leading states in the country in terms of using solar energy to boost farmers' income. Not just agriculture, solar energy is being used in other sectors as well across the state in solar-powered water systems and providing electricity in rural and far-flung areas of the state. Under the efforts of Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel to strengthen the rural economy, top priority has been given to the installation of solar irrigation pumps with the aim of boosting the income of farmers. Rapid work was done in this direction and recently the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency has been awarded the National Award for installing the maximum number of solar pumps in the country and for energy conservation.

Besides, along with the implementation of the ‘Suraji Gaon Yojana’, effective utilization of solar energy using modern technology is being encouraged in Chhattisgarh to meet the challenges arising out of global warming. The establishment of units related to power generation from solar energy has also been kept in the priority category in the new industrial policy. Solar energy is proving to be efficacious in improving the economic condition of the farmers living in the remote forest areas of the state. Solar irrigation pumps are proving to be a ‘game changer’ in remote and inaccessible parts of the state where electricity cannot be arranged through traditional methods. An estimated reduction of 6.55 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions has been expected in the last five years with the use of solar irrigation pumps installed in the state under ‘Saur Sujala Yojana’.

Apart from the agriculture sector, solar energy is being used in various other sectors in the state. Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency has undertaken the initiative to provide pure drinking water in hamlets situated in remote and inaccessible areas through solar pumps. Under Jal Jeevan Mission and schemes implemented by the state government pure drinking water is being made available to more than 4.80 lakh families by installing 10, 629 solar pumps in the state. 4.70 MW off-grid solar power plants have been set up for electricity arrangements in 1480 health centers of the state. Through this, electricity is being in government health centers and hospitals. The same is being consumed for running life-saving machines and freezers for vaccine storage. CREDA has been felicitated with an International Award for this achievement.

More than 1.17 lakh solar irrigation pumps installed under ‘Saur Sujala Yojana’ ::  A total of 71, 753 solar irrigation pumps were installed in the state by CREDA in the last four years. About 86,104-hectare area has been irrigated through these pumps. More than 1.17 lakh solar irrigation pumps of 3 and 5 hp have been installed in the state so far which are being used to irrigate more than 1.17 lakh hectares of land. More than 1.26 lakh farmers are getting benefited from this scheme.

To provide irrigation facilities to small and marginal farmers, solar irrigation community projects are being established near the surface water source. The use of surface water will also reduce the exploitation of groundwater. In the last four years, 16 solar community irrigation projects were established, through which about 911 farmers are getting the benefit of irrigation facilities on 976.17 hectares of land. About 59 solar irrigation pumps have been installed in these projects. Including these, so far 334 solar irrigation pumps have been installed in 228 solar community irrigation projects in the state, through which 2,749 hectares of land of 2,639 farmers are being irrigated.

Maximum grant of Rs 2 lakh is given under ‘Saur Sujala Yojana’ ::  Under the ‘Saur Sujala Yojana’, farmers are being given a maximum grant of up to Rs 2 lakh by the state government for setting up solar irrigation pumps of three and five hp capacity. For the establishment of a 3 hp pump, the beneficiaries for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have to contribute Rs 7,000, the other backward class beneficiaries Rs 12,000, and the general category beneficiaries Rs 18,000. Similarly, for the installation of an irrigation pump up to 5 HP, the beneficiary of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe has to contribute Rs 10, 000, the beneficiary of Other Backward Classes Rs 15, 000 and the beneficiary of the general category have to contribute Rs 20, 000. The remaining amount is given by the state government as a grant. Solar pumps installed in the state alone have reduced carbon emissions by 6.55 lakh tonnes in the last 5 years. A grant of Rs 1.80 lakh is being given per hectare to such groups of small and marginal farmers who have at least 10 hectares of agricultural land for the Solar Community Irrigation Scheme. Similarly, a subsidy of Rs 4 lakh per unit is being given for the establishment of solar cold storage of 5 tonnes storage capacity including 4 KW modules.

Solar irrigation pumps installed in 4, 970 Gauthans :: In the last four years, for the expansion of the irrigation facility, 59 mega solar pumps have been installed to irrigate the fields located near the river drains. Through this, 976 hectares of community agricultural land is being irrigated. Apart from this, arrangements have been made for drinking water for animals and irrigation facilities in pastures by installing solar pumps in 49,70 Gauthans under Suraji Gaon Yojana. Under the Solar Drinking Water Scheme, 24-hour pure drinking water is being provided to more than 3 lakh families by installing 6,093 solar dual pumps in inaccessible villages in the last four years. Apart from this, arrangements have been made to supply pure drinking water through household tap connections to the houses in rural areas by installing 4536 dual pumps under the Jal Jeevan Mission. In this scheme, drinking water is being supplied to the houses by installing water tanks of 10 liters capacity at 12 meters and 9 meters height. About 1.80 lakh families are being benefited under this scheme.

Over 1.38 lakh households electrified through solar power systems :: In the last four years, 3155 solar high mast lights have been installed in the square intersections of villages and towns and haat bazaars. Including these, 3924 solar high masts have been established in the state. Similarly, electricity has been arranged through solar lights in 80, 859 houses of villages and ‘majratolas’ in remote inaccessible areas where electricity cannot be supplied through electric supply lines. Including these, more than 1.38 lakh households in 920 villages have been electrified through solar power systems. 

2232 solar plants installed on the roof of government buildings :: In the year 2022-23, the scheme to fill ponds with water available in rivers and annicuts through solar pumps has been implemented as ‘Indira Gaon Ganga Yojana. In this scheme, the work of filling 33 ponds in 21 villages was completed in four years. 326 solar energy-based water purification plants have been established in the state. A total of 196 grids connected and 2232 off-grid-connected solar plants have been installed on the roof of government and private buildings of the state. Apart from these, 37 large-scale grid-connected solar power plants of 433 MW capacity have been set up. For safe storage of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, 65 solar cold storages of 270 KW capacities have been installed in places of the state with interrupted power supply and problems of voltage fluctuations. 

With the consistent efforts of the state government, the use of solar energy is increasing in the state. Saur Sujala Yojana is becoming popular among farmers. For the use of solar energy, grants are being given by the state government in various schemes. In the coming times, Chhattisgarh will set new records in this field.