Sufficient and timely availability of water is essential to irrigate crops during critical stages of crop growth. This shall ensure improved farm productivity and incomes. However, a critical prerequisite is a reliable energy-based system which enables timely extraction and distribution of water supply. Solar models have shown the way.

In rural areas, the farm’s energy needs are supported by public distributed electricity which supports diverse appliances. Uncertainties like power cuts, supply with dangerous fluctuations resulting in burning out and damaging motors, are challenges the farmers face. This is in addition to vagaries of weather and unpredictable markets. Even when they have enough ground water too, farmers are unable to irrigate their entire land, owing to irregular power supplies.

Solar energy has ensured timely irrigation to crops

To mitigate these challenges, Kalike Livelihoods team with the support of Sustain Plus, Selco and Villgro Foundation, conceptualized and implemented models based on renewable energy and promoted sustainable agriculture practices. Motivated by the keenness of communities and backed by suitable geography, the Trust implemented alternative solar powered project models.

The overall purpose was to help farmers in multiple ways.

 1) Ensuring better access to water supply to enhance crop diversity and productivity by installing reliable solar models

 2) Exploring development of new enterprises like solar operated hydroponics for better fodder access and Panchagavya units for improved nutrient management to crops

 3) Promoting community benefit sharing mechanisms between Lead farmer and fellow farmers

4) Enabling Lead farmer to install the model with partial financial support as well as by linking with banks for availing loan.