Jharkhand: Jamtara farmer earns handsome income under PM-KUSUM scheme
Ranchi, May 26
In a surprising tale of fate turning into fortune, Damodar Singh, a Jamtara farmer, saw his fortunes touch the sky months after the installation of solar pumps at his farms under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
As he moved away from conventional fuel and switched to solar pumps, his income jumped sharply, and this also freed him from the burden of rising diesel prices and erratic power supply. After installing solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme, he no longer faces the stress of diesel expenses or inflated electricity bills.
Earlier, irrigation through diesel pumps cost him around 8,000 to 10,000 rupees per month, but now this costs nothing. He says that after installing the solar pump, he now harvests three crops a year and has also started vegetable cultivation alongside paddy.
Damodar explains that after installing solar pumps in his field, he can now cultivate three crops a year. Alongside paddy, he has also started farming vegetables; previously, he was entirely dependent on rainfall. Now, water is available whenever he needs it, simultaneously, his operational costs have dropped to zero while his income has increased.
By providing irrigation water to the fields of fellow farmers, he claims to be generating a net annual income of up to ₹1.5 lakhs, a windfall gain that has enabled him to build his own home and also provide his children with an education in good schools.
Explaining the benefits of the PM-KUSUM scheme, he said, "Under the Kusum Scheme, PM Modi provided us with a solar pump. We use it for farming and received it with subsidy support. We receive the benefits directly through the online system, with no middlemen involved. We can farm year-round, which supports our livelihood. My family is happy, and my children are able to study well. Everything is going smoothly. We want to thank PM Modi."
Notably, the PM-KUSUM scheme was launched with the objective of providing energy and water security to farmers, enhancing their income, de-dieselizing the farm sector, and reducing environmental pollution.
Over the years, this scheme has made farmers self-reliant in irrigation and has also boosted their incomes. Through digital payment channels, subsidies are being transferred directly into their bank accounts. This rather represents a story of the 'new farming methods in New India'.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Wonderful to see sustainable farming practices being adopted in India. The reduction in diesel use not only saves money but also helps the environment. I hope more farmers across the country can benefit from similar schemes. This is a win-win for farmers and the planet.
While this is a good story, I wonder how many farmers in Jharkhand or other states have actually benefited from this scheme. The implementation on ground level is often patchy. Hope the government ensures that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries without any middlemen. Still, happy for Damodar Singh ji! 👍
From being dependent on rainfall and spending thousands on diesel to now farming three crops a year and even building his own house! This is the power of the right government scheme with proper implementation. No middlemen, direct subsidy transfer, and digital systems - this is the way forward for New India. Proud moment! 🇮🇳
Inspiring story! The shift from diesel to solar pumps is a smart move for farmers in areas with unreliable power supply. I'm curious about the maintenance costs and lifespan of these pumps. If the government provides good after-sales support, this could be a model worth scaling across developing nations.
Damodar Singh's story is proof that when government schemes are implemented properly, they can transform lives. But we need to check how many farmers in Jharkhand's remote areas have actually received these pumps. The article mentions 'no middlemen' which is great, but ground reality in some districts is different. Still, this gives hope!
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