The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has set a target of installing 10,895 solar-powered pumps to ensure irrigation in rural farmlands under the PM KUSUM scheme. Of this target, 3,616 pumps have already been installed, providing assured irrigation to 7,232 acres of farmland and benefiting 3,616 marginal farmers. Work is underway to set up an additional 5,051 pump sets, while steps are being taken to establish the remaining 2,264 pumps as soon as possible.
Once the scheme is fully implemented, around 21,790 acres of farmland will benefit from assured irrigation. Farmers in rural areas are expected to double their agricultural production through the use of these subsidised solar pumps. If a farmer doesn’t have a water source for irrigation, TREDA will provide subsidies under the PM KUSUM scheme to the farmer.
Furthermore, TREDA offers subsidies under the scheme, with farmers paying Rs 10,000 for a 1 horsepower (HP) pump, out of a total cost of Rs 139,000. For a 2 HP pump, farmers contribute Rs 15,000, while the total cost amounts to Rs 177,528. The solar-powered pumps are designed to provide irrigation for at least 25 years without incurring electricity bills.
