September 18, 2018

'Saur Sujala' helped increase agricultural output in Gariaband

“Saur Sujala Yojana” in Chhattisgarh state is operated by Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA). This scheme has turned out to be a boon for farmers. Under this scheme, till the time solar pumps have been distributed to 2456 farmers. All the solar pumps are in good working condition. Gariaband was given a target of installing 700 solar pumps in stage one. But to everyone's surprise, it exceeded the target and total 1019 solar pumps were installed. In the Second stage also pretty good numbers are delivered, 1437 solar pumps were installed at farms.

As a matter of fact, a solar pump costs around 3.5 to 4.5 lakhs which everyone can’t afford. So farmers were dependent on rain for irrigation in lack of resources. The government of the state designed a scheme, where farmers’ received 95 to 98 percent grant for buying a solar pump.  Solar pumps are now provided at a low cost of just 10,000 to 25,000. Farmers of Electricity less remote villages are getting benefitted under the scheme of "Saur Sujala Yojana". Earlier Farmers use to get affected monetarily in case of no or scanty rainfall, even the harvest used to get wasted, but after Government introduced “Saur Sujala Scheme”, there is a sigh of relief among farmers.

They need not depend upon electricity or rainfall for irrigation purpose.

Production of the crop has also increased. Increased production, in turn, is also giving monetary benefits and good income. Farmers installing solar pumps are very happy and feeling grateful to the government officials.

We have the story of two farmers named Seshmal and Tulsidas. Both are the residents of Kummaikala village, Devbhog developmental block. They had farms on a larger area, still were not able to produce good output. Sur Sujala yojana has ended their issue of irrigation. Both the farmers have got solar pumps installed in their fields, and they are cultivating vegetables with the help of solar pump water. Earlier both farmers used to sow vegetables in little quantity at their kitchen garden for domestic purposes.

But now they are able to grow vegetables like brinjal, lady finger and pulses at 3 acres of land and their income have increased considerably. Earlier their income was 5-6 thousand per month, which has increased to 20 - 21 thousand.

The state government has executed many schemes in the interest of farmers. The initiative of installing solar pumps at a nominal cost has certainly helped poor farmers to increase production output with minimal efforts and risk. Solar pumps are also environment-friendly. Solar Pumps run on the energy created by the sun. Common usages of solar pumps are water harvesting, crop irrigation, cooking and drinking water supply. The most important thing is that solar energy is a renewable source of energy. It never depletes on using. Also, the maintenance cost associated with solar panel is very less.

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