BESCOM Managing Director Dr. N. Shivashankar
Tumkur: In a major push for renewable energy and farmer welfare, BESCOM Managing Director Dr. N. Shivashankar on Thursday appealed to farmers to lease out their land for the Kusum-C Solar Project, assuring that the scheme would guarantee a steady annual income while ensuring daytime electricity for agricultural pump sets.
The appeal was made during the Seva Parva celebrations, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Kusum-C scheme virtually from Banwara, Rajasthan. The program was jointly organized by the Energy Department and the Tumkur District Administration.
Dr. Shivashankar said the PM Kusum-C scheme is a boon for farmers, particularly those in dryland and semi-arid regions like Tumkur, Davangere, and Chitradurga. “The government has provided significant support for the scheme’s implementation. But land availability is a challenge. Where government land is not available, farmers should voluntarily lease their land to benefit from long-term income opportunities,” he said.
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He stressed that the demand for agricultural electricity in Karnataka is high and the Kusum-C scheme is designed to meet this need sustainably. “Our focus is on ensuring reliable daytime electricity for irrigation directly from solar-powered substations,” he added.
3,900 MW State Target Under Kusum-C
Under the feeder-level solarization project, Karnataka has set a target of generating 3,900 MW of solar power. Work is already underway to establish 2,400 MW capacity across 359 locations. Alongside, BESCOM is promoting the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme, encouraging households to install solar panels to save on electricity bills and earn extra income by selling surplus power to the grid.
KREDL MD: Game-Changer for Farmers
Speaking at the event, KREDL Managing Director K.P. Rudrappaiah said the Kusum-C project, launched in Gauribidanur on June 11 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Energy Minister K.J. George, is a “game-changer” for Karnataka farmers.
“It removes the burden of night-time irrigation by providing reliable daytime power, boosting productivity while promoting clean energy adoption,” Rudrappaiah said.
MLA: Transparent, Farmer-Friendly Model
Tumakuru Rural MLA Suresh Gowda underlined that the KUSUM project reflects a joint effort by the Centre and State governments. “Over 30,000 farmers have already applied under Component-B, which runs on a 50:50 subsidy model. The application process is fully online and transparent, ensuring wide participation,” he said.
The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner Subha Kalyan, senior energy officials, and local representatives.
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