Farmers Need Solar Pumps, But Who Pays? How PM-KUSUM Supports Solar Irrigation

Diesel and unreliable electricity can make irrigation costly for farmers. The PM-KUSUM scheme supports solar-powered irrigation through standalone pumps and solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps. The scheme also allows certain farmers to set up decentralised solar plants and sell electricity to distribution companies.

The scheme has reached more than 21.77 lakh farmers, according to government data. As of August 2, 2026, nearly 11.49 lakh off-grid solar pumps had been installed, while more than 15.89 lakh agricultural pumps were covered through feeder-level solarisation.

What does PM-KUSUM offer farmers?

PM-KUSUM has three main components. Component A supports decentralised grid-connected solar power plants. Component B supports standalone solar agriculture pumps in areas without grid electricity. Component C supports the solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps and agricultural feeders.

Under Component B, individual farmers can receive support for standalone solar agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower in off-grid areas. The pump can replace diesel-based irrigation or provide irrigation where grid electricity is unavailable.

Component C has two approaches. Individual Pump Solarisation allows farmers with grid-connected agricultural pumps to add solar panels. Feeder Level Solarisation allows states to solarise agricultural electricity feeders serving multiple pumps.

For standalone pumps and individual pump solarisation, the Centre generally provides 30% of the applicable benchmark or tender cost, whichever is lower. The state government provides at least another 30%, with the remaining share coming from the beneficiary.

Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the northeastern states and certain island territories receive higher central support. The central financial assistance can reach 50% of the applicable benchmark or tender cost, while the state or Union Territory provides at least 30%.

The farmer’s remaining contribution can also be financed through bank credit where applicable. Under the standard structure, this can reduce the amount the farmer needs to pay upfront, subject to the financing arrangements available through the implementing agency.

Can farmers sell surplus solar power?

Under Component C’s individual pump solarisation, farmers can use the electricity generated by their solar panels for irrigation. The scheme also permits surplus electricity to be sold to the DISCOM, subject to the applicable state arrangements and tariff.

This means a solar pump can serve two purposes. It can provide electricity for irrigation while generating additional power when solar generation exceeds the farmer’s immediate requirement.

The actual income from surplus electricity depends on the state electricity regulator, DISCOM arrangements and the applicable tariff. Farmers should check these details before assuming that a solar pump will generate a particular amount of additional income.

Eligibility depends on the component and the rules set by the state implementing agency. Individual farmers are eligible under the standalone pump component, while groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organisations and Water User Associations can participate in certain parts of the scheme.

For Component B, the standalone pump is intended for off-grid agricultural areas. Farmers should also consider whether the available groundwater or surface water source can support the proposed pump before applying.

The size of the pump should match the irrigation requirement. The PM-KUSUM guidelines note that pump selection should consider factors such as land area, water-table depth and the quantity of water needed.

How does feeder-level solarisation work?

Feeder-level solarisation is different from installing an individual solar pump. A solar plant supplies power to an agricultural feeder, allowing multiple connected farm pumps to receive solar-generated electricity.

The government says this approach can provide daytime power for irrigation. Under the scheme, central assistance is available for feeder-level solarisation, with higher assistance for northeastern, hilly and island regions.

Farmers do not individually install the feeder solar plant under this model. The state or DISCOM handles the project. Farmers should therefore check with their local electricity department to find out whether their agricultural feeder has been selected.

PM-KUSUM is demand-driven, and state implementing agencies are responsible for beneficiary selection and execution. Farmers therefore need to follow the application process notified by their state or Union Territory rather than assuming that one national application route applies everywhere.

The National PM-KUSUM portal provides information on implementing agencies, vendors and application processes. Farmers should use official state or MNRE channels and avoid paying unauthorised agents who promise guaranteed approval.

Before applying, farmers should keep land records, identification documents, bank details and information about their existing irrigation pump ready. Exact documentation can differ between states and components.

What should farmers check before choosing a pump?

Farmers should first assess the water source. A subsidised solar pump cannot solve a water shortage if the well, borewell or other source does not contain enough usable water.

They should also check pump capacity, groundwater depth, required discharge, solar-panel space and irrigation area. A pump that is too small may not meet the farm’s needs, while excessive capacity can increase costs without providing proportional benefits.

Farmers should ask the implementing agency about approved vendors, warranty, maintenance and replacement arrangements. They should also confirm what is covered by the subsidy and what costs remain their responsibility.

Government figures show substantial expansion. As of August 2026, nearly 11.49 lakh standalone off-grid solar pumps had been installed. More than 15.89 lakh agricultural pumps were covered through feeder-level solarisation, while around 1,726 MW of decentralised solar capacity had been commissioned on farmers’ land.

The national PM-KUSUM portal reported 11,80,474 standalone pumps installed by August 31, 2026. It also recorded 16,77,646 pumps solarised under feeder-level solarisation and 16,469 under individual pump solarisation.

These figures cover different components and should not be added together as individual farmers. A single farmer may benefit through an individual pump, while feeder-level solarisation can serve many agricultural connections.

What should farmers consider before applying?

Farmers should compare the subsidy with their expected contribution, financing costs and likely irrigation requirement. They should also check whether their state has an active allocation and whether applications are currently open for the relevant component.

For farmers in Jammu and Kashmir and other specified hilly or northeastern regions, the higher central assistance can reduce the beneficiary share. The exact amount still depends on the applicable benchmark or tender cost and state contribution.

PM-KUSUM can reduce dependence on diesel and support solar-powered irrigation, but the scheme does not make every solar pump free. Farmers still need to meet the eligible beneficiary share and satisfy state-level conditions.

The practical first step is to check the official PM-KUSUM portal and the relevant state implementing agency. Farmers should confirm eligibility, approved pump capacity, subsidy structure, their own contribution and maintenance terms before paying any amount or selecting a vendor.