SHOPIAN: To sensitize the farmers and the general public about the main features of the PM-KUSUM scheme, an awareness camp was today organized by District Administration Shopian in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) at Meeting Hall of DC Office Complex here.
The Awareness programme was conducted in presence of Assistant Director, (AD) Planning, Shopian, Touseef Ahmed.
The PM-KUSUM scheme has been launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Government of India for upliftment of farmers in the country.
In view of the topography and irrigation challenges in the district, a UT level Campaign has been started in Shopian to provide maximum benefit to the farmers of the district from this beneficiary oriented scheme.
On the occasion, Assistant Director Planning informed that under the scheme, subsidized solar powered Agriculture pumps will be provided to the farmers after completing all required formalities.
He said that the scheme provides 50 percent subsidy from the Central Government, 30 percent from Government of J&K and only 20 percent as farmers share. The USP of this scheme is the 5 year warranty of solar pumps.
The Assistant Director asked the farmers about the scheme and encouraged those to take the benefits of such farmer friendly schemes. He highlighted the advantage of solar pumps over the conventional ones which would save fossil fuel and electricity apart from preserving the environment.
He further said that such awareness camps will be held at other places of the district for general awareness among the public. He urged the farmers to submit their applications to the concerned authorities.
Ahmad said that with the installation of solar pumps would lessen the farmers’ dependence on electricity, petrol and diesel and will also be economically beneficial for them.
Chief Horticulture Officer also threw light on the aspects of the Scheme and Master Trainers gave awareness to the farmers about the Scheme.
Meanwhile, an interactive session was held during which several queries of farmers were responded to by the technical team of JAKEDA.
The programme was attended by Chief Horticulture Officer, Shopian, Officers and Officials from JAKEDA besides other officers of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments and progressive farmers.

KR Desk