Solar pumps increase productivity, profits of West Bengal farmers
Resource ID
11543
Access
Open
Contributed by
Chathurya Dissanayake
Other
Profit margins, farming expenses, solar powered irrigation pump, Aditi Mukherji, greenhouse gas, groundwater
Date
17 July 23
Country
West Bengal
Summary
Farmers who switched from diesel/electricity to solar-power irrigation pumps vouch an increase in profit margins due to the negation of irrigation costs. Aditi Mukherji, Director, Climate Change Impact Platform at CGIAR, says almost all mitigation options to reduce greenhouse gas in the agriculture sector has a negative impact on productivity, except for solar pump. However, central sector scheme PM KUSUM, which facilitates a grid-connected solar-powered irrigation system, has not taken off in the state. The government has opted for only one component which allows to solarise grid-connected agriculture pumps. Encouraging zero-cost groundwater extraction may not be a good idea in areas where the groundwater has depleted below safe level.
Source
Eco-Business