The Bihar government is set to provide electricity connections to an additional 2.85 lakh farmers for agricultural activities by June 2025, officials announced. This initiative aims to enhance irrigation facilities and reduce dependence on costly thermal power.
According to officials, 5.55 lakh farmers in the state have already received electricity connections through agriculture-specific feeders. The upcoming expansion will cater to those who have already applied for agricultural electricity connections.
Government’s commitment to renewable energy
A statement issued by the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) highlighted that the state’s energy department is working swiftly to ensure all remaining applicants receive connections as early as possible.
The initiative is being carried out under the directives of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has consistently advocated for increased adoption of renewable energy sources, referring to them as the “real energy.”
As part of the Jal Jeevan Hariyali scheme launched in 2019, the Bihar government has focused on transitioning from expensive thermal power to solar and other renewable energy sources for agricultural activities. The state aims to provide dedicated electricity feeders powered by green energy, reducing reliance on conventional power grids.
Solar-powered agricultural feeders
To support this transition, the government has initiated the third phase of the renewable energy expansion plan, which will generate 1,200 MW of electricity from solar power plants to energize agricultural feeders.
A key aspect of this initiative is the introduction of solar-powered agricultural feeders, ensuring that farmers have access to electricity during daylight hours instead of night-time irrigation. This shift is expected to ease farmers' workload and enhance agricultural productivity. The tender process for implementing this phase has already begun.
Progress and subsidy support
Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena described the project as crucial for addressing Bihar’s increasing energy demands while also mitigating the impact of drought-like conditions in the state.
The government has already constructed 2,500 out of the planned 3,000 agricultural feeders, significantly improving electricity access for farmers.
Additionally, Bihar’s electricity subsidy scheme continues to offer over 92% subsidy on power supplied to farmers, making it more than ten times cheaper than diesel-powered irrigation, thereby significantly reducing farming costs.
This initiative reinforces Bihar’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions, enhancing the state's agricultural infrastructure while promoting environmental conservation.
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