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Farmers reluctant to buy solar pumpsets
Farmers are not showing interest to harness solar power for agriculture operations due to lack of awareness and failure of the state government in motivating farmers.
Kadapa: Farmers are not showing interest to harness solar power for agriculture operations due to lack of awareness and failure of the state government in motivating farmers.
Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) and Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NEDCAP) have jointly organised awareness campaigns across the district explaining the benefits of using solar-powered motor pumpsets for farming. But, the officials say that there is poor response from farmers.
Even though, the scheme has been in existence for a long time in the district, only 300 farmers from 25 mandals have come forward to install solar pumpsets in their fields.
According to SPDCL official, solar pumpsets supply quality power at cheaper rates round-the-clock for agriculture operations when compared to electrical motor pumpsets. Farmers are not purchasing solar pumpsets despite state government is providing a subsidy of Rs 55,000. The original cost of each solar pumpset is Rs 4.90 lakh.
M Ramana Reddy of Sambepalle village in Rayachoti mandal, has expressed satisfaction over the functioning of solar pumpsets. He opined that farmers will come forward to purchase solar pumpsets if the state government relaxes some more norms.
Progressive woman farmer V Ramanamma of Porumamilla said that there is an increase in yield with the availability of adequate water during the peak summer season.
Speaking to The Hans India on Friday, SPDCL (Kadapa Circle) Superintendent N Sivaprasad Reddy said farmers were not showing interest in installing solar pumpsets as they feel it would discharge less quantity of water when compared to electrical pumpsets.
He said if the farmers submit specified documents as per the norms, solar pumpsets would be sanctioned without any delay. “We have already conducted awareness campaigns about the scheme in all the 51 mandals in the district. Only 300 people responded to install solar pumpsets in their farms,” he stated.
By M Srinivasa Rao
