The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, launched in 2019, is delivering measurable relief to farmers in Haryana's Hasil, with beneficiaries reporting significant cuts in electricity and diesel costs after switching to solar-powered irrigation. The Central government's flagship solar pump subsidy programme, designed to provide energy and water security to India's farming communities, is increasingly seen as a buffer against agrarian financial stress.

How Farmers in Hasil Are Benefiting

In Hasil, a considerable number of farmers have set up solar power plants on their fields under the PM-KUSUM scheme, enabling low-cost irrigation and reducing dependence on grid electricity and diesel pumps. The shift has been particularly impactful for smallholders cultivating water-intensive crops such as paddy.

Naresh, a farmer from Garhi village, said his irrigation expenses have dropped sharply since installation. 'After the solar pump was installed, I save around Rs 400 to Rs 500 per month, and my dependence on grid electricity has been eliminated,' he said. Another farmer, Mulayam Singh, noted that high electricity and diesel costs previously eroded his paddy earnings, but irrigation costs have now decreased substantially.

Farmer Narendra described the operational simplicity of the system: the solar pump begins running as soon as sunlight is available and shuts down automatically at sunset, saving both time and money without manual intervention.

Scheme Structure and Financial Support

Under PM-KUSUM, financial assistance for solar pump installation is shared between the Centre and state governments, reducing the upfront burden on farmers. Beyond cost savings, the scheme creates an additional income stream: farmers can sell surplus electricity generated by their solar plants back to the power grid, turning an input cost into a revenue source.

Farmers have also reported relief from frequent power outages, which previously disrupted irrigation schedules and damaged crop yields. The solar-powered systems operate independently of the grid, offering greater reliability during critical growing periods.

National Scale and Environmental Goals

PM-KUSUM is among the world's largest clean energy programmes targeting agriculture, with an aim to 'solarise' pumps for more than 35 lakh farmers across India. The scheme's objectives extend beyond cost reduction — it explicitly targets de-dieselisation of the farm sector and a reduction in agricultural carbon emissions.

According to experts, the programme is also expected to generate employment equivalent to 7.55 lakh job-years for both skilled and unskilled workers, adding a labour market dimension to its agrarian benefits.

Broader Significance for Farm Economics

Rising electricity tariffs and diesel prices have been persistent pressure points for Indian farmers, particularly in states like Haryana where irrigation is intensive. PM-KUSUM directly addresses this by converting a recurring operational cost into a one-time subsidised capital investment. Notably, the scheme aligns with India's broader renewable energy targets and rural electrification goals, making it a multi-objective policy instrument rather than a single-issue subsidy.

With ground-level feedback from Haryana pointing to tangible savings, the scheme's expansion to additional districts and states will be closely watched as a model for sustainable farm support.