Small Farmers to Become Electricity Producers Under Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Yojana

Key highlights

• Small farmers to become electricity producers in Madhya Pradesh.

• Solar plants up to 100% of the sub-station capacity to be installed.

• 25-year power purchase contracts with the government.

• 3% interest rebate for 7 years under the Agriculture Infra Fund.

• Over 1 lakh agricultural pumps to get solar power.

The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a new scheme that will turn small farmers into electricity producers. Named Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Yojana, this scheme aims to promote solar energy in agriculture, reduce power costs, and provide a steady source of income to farmers.

Farmers to Produce Electricity Using Solar Power

In India, both the central and state governments have been promoting solar energy through subsidies for solar panels and solar-powered agricultural pumps. These efforts are aimed at reducing crop production costs and providing cheap electricity to farmers. Taking this mission forward, Madhya Pradesh's New and Renewable Energy Minister, Rakesh Shukla, announced that small farmers will now have the opportunity to produce electricity themselves.

Benefits of the Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Yojana

Under this innovative scheme, solar power plants will be installed on feeders to supply power directly to agricultural pumps connected to the power grid. This will help farmers in multiple ways:

• Farmers will get cheap and uninterrupted electricity even during the daytime.

• They can sell surplus electricity and earn additional income.

• The scheme will contribute to the state’s renewable energy growth.

Minister Rakesh Shukla believes that this initiative will economically empower farmers and take Madhya Pradesh to new heights in the field of renewable energy.

Key Features of Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Yojana

• Solar power plants will be set up to 100% capacity of the power substations.

• The project will invite investments from both small farmers and local investors under the Vocal for Local initiative.

• Power purchase agreements will be signed with the government for 25 years, ensuring long-term income security.

• Currently, 14500 MW capacity projects are open for selection at more than 1900 substations across the state.

Special Interest Rebate to Support Farmers

To help farmers and investors, the government has also introduced financial support:

• A 3% interest rebate will be provided for seven years under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

• The government has signed MoUs with banks and national as well as international institutions to make loan facilities easily available.

• Training programs have been conducted in collaboration with GIZ, where over 100 developers and plant setting units have participated.

Main Purpose Behind the Scheme

The primary goal of the Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Yojana is to manage the agricultural load on the power grid and ensure continuous electricity for irrigation during the daytime. The scheme brings many advantages:

• Electricity will be supplied directly to the 11 kV feeders, providing stable power across multiple feeders at once.

• Immediate expenses on sub-station upgrades and new transformers will be reduced.

• MP Power Management Company Limited will get cheaper electricity, lowering the government’s subsidy burden.

• Direct energy supply will cut transmission losses, reduce transformer overloading, prevent low-voltage issues, and minimize power cuts.

Expansion of Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana

The government also announced the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana in Madhya Pradesh to support the growing demand for solar energy:

• Around 8,000 separate agricultural feeders have already been installed for irrigation.

• Approximately 35 lakh agricultural pump connections exist in the state.

• Solar energy projects will be set up on these feeders to supply power directly to agricultural pumps.

• So far, 80 MW capacity projects have been installed, benefiting more than 16,000 farmers.

• Projects with a total capacity of 240 MW are under installation, and another 200 MW projects are in progress.

• Once completed, these projects will provide solar power to more than 1 lakh agricultural pumps.

A Big Step Towards Green Energy and Farmer Welfare

The Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Yojana is a major step towards making small farmers self-reliant and promoting clean energy in Madhya Pradesh. With long-term income benefits, financial support, and government backing, this scheme is set to transform the lives of farmers and strengthen the state’s renewable energy sector.

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CMV360 Says

The Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Yojana empowers small farmers to produce solar energy, ensuring stable irrigation power, extra income, and reduced production costs. With government support, easy financing, and long-term contracts, this scheme boosts farmer welfare while promoting renewable energy and reducing the burden on the state’s power infrastructure.