PM-KUSUM program: shifting the Indian agricultural sector to solar irrigation

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program aims to create 34,800 MW of solar capacity by March 2026, with central financial support of 34,422 crore rupees. The project includes three key components: setting up decentralized renewable energy plants (Component A), installing 14 lakh standalone solar pumps (Component B), and solarizing 35 lakh grid-connected pumps and feeders (Component C).

Statistics from the national portal as of May 31, 2026, demonstrate the active implementation of the program. Under Component B, 8,95,882 standalone pumps have been sanctioned, of which 7,70,384 have already been installed. Regarding feeder-level solar irrigation, out of 20,69,796 approved projects, 9,30,215 have been effectively implemented.

Scaling up the system requires infrastructure development: from equipment manufacturing to maintenance services and digital monitoring. The experience of Maharashtra state, where 45,911 solar pumps were installed in a single month in December 2025 under the regional Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana program, shows the importance of coordinating supplier networks and operational efficiency. The quality of after-sales service is of particular importance for the long-term operation of the equipment.

The architecture of the program is changing the role of the farmer in the economy. Component A allows agricultural producers, cooperatives, and water user associations to install solar plants on barren lands and supply surplus electricity to distribution companies at regulated tariffs. Thus, farmers transition from energy consumers to energy suppliers.

Further development of the sector depends on disciplined project execution and the quality of service covering all regions of the country. Integrating solar technologies into agriculture is becoming an important tool for ensuring energy security and increasing farm incomes.