Solar irrigation pumps boost farm productivity while conserving groundwater and reducing energy costs
Published on: December 21, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
The Saur Sujala Yojana is emerging as a significant catalyst in strengthening the rural economy of Chhattisgarh by addressing farmers’ irrigation needs through solar-powered solutions. The scheme aims to install solar irrigation pumps for cultivators, leading to increased agricultural production, conservation and recharge of groundwater, and reduced dependency on conventional electricity and fossil fuels.
The scheme has proven especially beneficial for farmers who own agricultural land but lack proper irrigation facilities due to the high cost of extending electricity lines to their fields. Such farmers were earlier dependent solely on monsoon rainfall or costly diesel and kerosene pumps, often resulting in crop losses during delayed or insufficient rains and pushing families into financial distress.
Recognising these challenges, the Chhattisgarh government, with financial support and implementation by CREDA (Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency), has initiated large-scale installation of solar-based irrigation pumps. These pumps are being set up at farms with borewells, wells, rivers, streams, or other surface water sources where sufficient water is available, particularly for farmers who could not afford electricity connections from CSPDCL for years.
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Major Relief for Farmers
The installation of solar pumps has provided substantial relief to farmers, enabling them to become more economically self-reliant. With no electricity bills to pay, farmers are free from recurring power expenses, significantly reducing cultivation costs. At the same time, the government benefits from large-scale electricity savings, reduced coal consumption, and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Under the scheme, beneficiary selection is carried out by the Agriculture Department. The beneficiary contribution varies according to pump capacity and social category. For 3 HP pumps (including processing fees), the contribution is ₹10,000 for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers, ₹15,000 for Other Backward Classes, and ₹21,000 for General category farmers. For 5 HP pumps, the respective contributions are ₹14,800, ₹19,800, and ₹24,800.
Energy and Environmental Benefits
After installation, farmers are permanently exempt from electricity bills. On average, each solar pump saves approximately 360 to 600 units of electricity per month, translating to 4,300 to 7,200 units annually. This results in an estimated annual monetary saving of ₹17,200 to ₹28,800, along with conservation of 3,440 to 5,760 kilograms of coal per year, thereby preventing significant carbon dioxide emissions.
For Rajnandgaon district, a target of 400 solar pump installations has been allocated. Applications for solar irrigation pumps are currently being accepted. Interested farmers can submit their applications at their nearest block-level Agriculture Department office or directly at the CREDA district office.
The Saur Sujala Yojana continues to play a vital role in promoting sustainable agriculture, reducing energy dependency, and reinforcing the rural economy across the district.
