PM-KUSUM 2.0 Launch Soon: Big Opportunity for Farmers to Double Income With Solar Farming

Key Highlights

• Solar panels to be installed above farms.

• Farmers can earn from crops and electricity.

• Focus on fruit and vegetable farmers.

• Diesel pump usage to reduce significantly.

• The proposed budget is estimated at ₹50,000 crore.

The Central Government is preparing to launch the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, called PM-KUSUM 2.0. The new scheme is expected to help farmers increase their income while making irrigation cheaper and easier through solar energy.

The government plans to promote electricity generation along with farming so that farmers can earn extra income from their agricultural land. Fruit, vegetable, and horticulture farmers are likely to benefit the most from this upcoming scheme.

Cabinet Approval Expected Soon

According to sources, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is currently preparing a Cabinet note for PM-KUSUM 2.0. Discussions with different ministries are underway, and approval is expected within the next few weeks.

After receiving Cabinet approval, the scheme is expected to be implemented across the country in a phased manner.

Huge Benefits for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers

Under PM-KUSUM 2.0, farmers will be encouraged to install solar panels on elevated structures over their farms. The government aims to generate nearly 10,000 MW of electricity through these solar installations.

The solar panels will be placed in a way that farming activities below them are not affected. This model is expected to work especially well for crops that grow better in partial shade.

Crops like tomatoes, brinjal, papaya, and mango can benefit from this setup. Farmers will be able to continue cultivation while also producing electricity from the same land.

Farmers Can Earn Double Income

Officials said that under the agri-PV model, solar panels will be installed at a minimum height of 2.1 meters. This height will allow enough sunlight and shade for crop growth while also helping in electricity generation.

The scheme will create two income sources for farmers:

• Income from crop production

• Monthly earnings from selling extra solar electricity to the grid

Farmers with larger land holdings may earn additional income worth lakhs of rupees every year by selling surplus power.

Big Relief From Diesel Pumps

One of the major goals of PM-KUSUM 2.0 is to reduce the use of diesel pumps in agriculture. The government wants to make irrigation systems fully solar-powered.

This will help farmers get affordable or nearly free electricity for irrigation throughout the day. Reduced dependence on diesel pumps will also lower farming costs and reduce pollution.

Apart from helping farmers, state governments are also expected to benefit because the burden of electricity subsidies may decrease.

Proposed Budget May Reach ₹50,000 Crore

The proposed budget for PM-KUSUM 2.0 is estimated at around ₹50,000 crore. This is nearly 45% higher than the current PM-KUSUM scheme.

The new version of the scheme will focus on:

• Decentralized solar power plants

• Feeder-level solarization

• Battery storage systems for night-time electricity supply

The government aims to improve power availability and make the system more effective for farmers.

Current PM-KUSUM Scheme Could Not Meet Targets

The original PM-KUSUM scheme was launched in 2019, but many targets are still incomplete.

According to official data:

• Only 1,052.95 MW capacity has been installed under Component A against the target of 10,000 MW.

• Only 14.24 lakh pumps have been solarized against the target of 35.13 lakh pumps.

Although more than 21.77 lakh farmers have benefited from the scheme so far, issues related to finance, grid connectivity, and awareness slowed down its progress.

Based on these challenges, the government is now preparing PM-KUSUM 2.0 with better planning and improved implementation.

Golden Opportunity for Farmers

If PM-KUSUM 2.0 is launched on time, it could become a major income-boosting opportunity for Indian farmers. Farmers involved in fruit farming, vegetable cultivation, and horticulture are expected to gain the maximum benefits.

The scheme can help farmers reduce irrigation costs, generate clean energy, and create an additional source of regular income from solar power generation.

Also Read: Ladli Behna Yojana Maharashtra: 65-68 Lakh Women Removed, Next Installment on Hold

CMV360 Says

PM-KUSUM 2.0 can become a game-changing scheme for Indian farmers by combining agriculture with solar energy generation. The scheme is expected to reduce irrigation costs, lower diesel dependence, and create an additional income source through solar power sales. Fruit, vegetable, and horticulture farmers are likely to benefit the most. With a proposed ₹50,000 crore budget, the government aims to make farming more profitable, sustainable, and energy-efficient across the country in the coming years.