KUSUM SCHEME

About: 

• Full Name: KUSUM stands for Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan. 
  
  
• Objective: Kusum Scheme aims to promote use of solar energy among farmers. 
  
  
• Strategy: The proposed scheme provides for – 
  • setting up of grid-connected renewable power plants each of 500KW to 2 MW in the rural area; 
    
    
  • installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfil irrigation needs of farmers not connected to grid; and 
    
    
  • solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and also sell surplus solar power generated to Discom and get extra income. 
    
    
  
  
  
• Background: It was first announced in Union Budget 2018. 
  
  
• Present status: The Scheme is under consideration of the Government and therefore, detailed provisions are yet to be finalized.