10th June 2024, Hyderabad

ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Ranga Reddy, ICAR- Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, and ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Hyderabad, Zone-X in coordination with Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit India jointly organized the awareness-raising workshop for farmers on ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan’ today at ICAR-KVK Farm Hayathnagar, Hyderabad.  The programme aimed to sensitize farmers about the potential of Agriculture Photo Voltaic under PM-KUSUM Component A and to identify farmers who need handholding support under this scheme including co-locating RE solutions with agriculture.

Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Hyderabad, spoke about the PM-KUSUM initiative, which aims to promote solar energy adoption in agriculture. He emphasised the importance of understanding farmers' insights and fostering effective collaborations between farmers, the government, and financial institutions for successful solar energy production.

Dr. M. Srinivasa Rao, Director, in-charge, ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad, highlighted several critical factors for establishing a unit including site selection, unit cost, cost of production, maintenance cost of the unit, net returns, and the sustainability of the establishment. He also urged the authorities to raise awareness among farmers about these considerations.

Dr. Chandrakant M.H., Senior Scientist-cum-Head, ICAR-KVK, Ranga Reddy, briefed the participants about PM-KUSUM Component-A.

Dr. D. K. Singh, Principal Scientist, WTC & Professor, DAE, ICAR-IARI, stated that it is time to think about the usage of renewable energy like solar and wind power in the agriculture sector to reduce the cost of cultivation. He accentuated that the farmers should take advantage of PM-KUSUM Component A, to get additional income for agriculture from solar power from the same field.

A team of experts from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GIZ India, and Renkube participated in plenary sessions, group discussions, and interaction sessions with farmers, NGOs, and farmer groups. The in-house seminar was followed by a site visit to PJTSAU Telangana where Agri Innovation Hub, PJTSAU Telangana & Renkube installed the 10 KV Agri PV system.

About 40 farmers from Ranga Reddy districts of Telangana state attended the workshop.

(Source: ICAR- Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad)