Pune: In a strong response to Maharashtra's 'Solar Agricultural Pump on Demand' scheme, more than 1,22,000 farmers across the state have registered on Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL / Mahavitaran) website within just 14 days of the initiative's launch.

The scheme, designed to provide farmers with access to affordable solar-powered pumps for irrigation, has seen widespread interest, particularly in districts like Jalna, Beed, and Parbhani.

The state government launched this initiative to promote sustainable energy use in agriculture and to alleviate the farmers' dependence on conventional power grids.

The entire process for the scheme is conducted online, providing an easy and accessible way for farmers to apply.

According to data from Mahavitaran, Jalna district leads the registrations with 52,067 farmers applying, followed by Beed (24,526 applications), Parbhani (15,043 applications), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (6,888 applications), and Hingoli (5,079 applications).

The rapid uptake indicates the high demand for solar-powered solutions in rural farming communities.

Under this scheme, farmers can obtain solar pumps with capacities ranging from 3 horsepower (HP) to 7.5 HP, depending on the size of their land.

To make the pumps affordable, farmers are required to pay only 10% of the total cost, while the remaining cost is covered by subsidies from both the central and state governments.

Farmers belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) benefit from an even greater reduction, with their contribution set at just 5%.

The solar energy panels provided under the scheme are designed to last for 25 years, offering farmers a reliable, long-term solution for irrigation.

These panels allow farmers to operate independently of the traditional power grid, freeing them from electricity bills while ensuring uninterrupted daytime power for irrigation.

Mahavitaran has emphasized that this shift to solar energy is both cost-effective and convenient for farmers, who no longer need to rely on erratic power supplies.

Simple Online Process for Farmers
To streamline the application process, Mahavitaran has launched a dedicated website where farmers can register for the scheme.

The website https://www.mahadiscom.in/solar_MTSKPY/index_mr.php 

provides comprehensive information about the scheme, including detailed guidelines and frequently asked questions to help resolve any doubts.

Farmers can also track the progress of their applications through the website, ensuring transparency and ease of use.