The PM-KUSUM program in the amount of 34,000 GBP is to strengthen the infrastructure of solar energy in agriculture by the establishment of 100 GW solar power plants in agricultural land, installation of 14 LakH solar pumps and solaring 35 lakh grid pumps. File. | Photo Credit: HS Manjunath
The Government of the Union is trying to demonstrate the PM-KUSUM program (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Surraksha Evam Uthan Mahabhiyan) to several African countries and island nations, said the Minister of Renewable Energy (MNre) Pralhad Joshi.
“We are trying to introduce both the PM-KUSUM program and the Prime Minister Surya Ghar (for roof solar installations) in countries that have problems with interconnection. We do this in Africa and island countries through the ISA (International Solar Alliance) platform,” Joshi said at the ISA liberated assembly.
The PM-KUSUM program in the amount of 34,000 GBP is to strengthen the infrastructure of solar energy in agriculture by the establishment of 100 GW solar power plants in agricultural land, installation of 14 LakH solar pumps and solaring 35 lakh grid pumps.
Launched in 2019, by 2022 it was supposed to add a solar capacity of 308 GW, but missed the targets. The center then set a new target, out of 348 GW with a deadline of March 2026. As of September 30, 2025, only one part of the scheme was installed on farmer fields. About 70% of pumps were installed.
On the other hand, only 6% of decentralized power plants for renewable energy sources were installed to renewable energy and 16% -25% of solar pumps connected to the grid.
On Wednesday, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Mnre told the Hinds that this program could be extended in 2026.
Indian success with solar pumps has caused “considerable interest” in several African countries and island countries, said Ashish Khanna, CEO of ISA. “Only 4% of arable land in Africa are irrigated,” Mr. Khanna said at the conference. “Africa is importing food worth about $ 400 billion, although huge areas of arable land are available,” he said. Several leaders in African countries asked India with solar pumps, and therefore introduced an opportunity for solar energy societies, Khanna said.
Published – 8 October 2025 21:20
