It has a relatively small proportion of its net sown area unirrigated, indicating poor irrigation demand. Horticulture crops occupy a relatively low proportion of gross cropped area in the district, diminishing the economic viability of solar pumps here. Overall, the water availability for irrigation in the district (based on ground water development and long-term trends of water level decline) is critical since the resource is overexploited, jeopardizing the long-term sustainability of solar pumps. The number of medium and long-term institutional loans disbursed in the district is comparatively large, suggesting the availability of credit amongst farmers for potential investments. There is a comparatively high level of farm mechanization in the district, implying a positive outlook towards progressive technologies amongst the farmers. The district appears in the group of districts, which are (very) highly vulnerable towards climate change, as per an index constructed by CRIDA.
Approaches | Feasibility |
---|---|
Individually owned off-grid solar pumps | Limited Suitability |
Solarisation of feeders | Limited Suitability |
Solar based water as a service | Not Suitable |
Promote 1 HP and sub-HP pumps | Not Suitable |
Limited Suitability
The district has a comparatively high concentration of diesel pump users, high crop revenue per holding, and a relatively high disbursement of institutional credit. However, groundwater availability is below the safe limit. Water conservation and efficient irrigation practices (such as drip irrigation) should be promoted to improve the viability of solar pumps.
Parameter | Value | Percentile |
---|---|---|
Number of cultivators reporting use of diesel pumps | 94,581 | 86 |
Water Availability Index | 0.14 | 10 |
Crop revenue per holding (INR) | 100,375 | 58 |
Medium and long term institutional credit disbursed in a year (in INR Crore) | 407.6 | 91 |
Limited Suitability
The district has a relatively high penetration of electric pumps, and its DISCOM has a rather high bulk power purchase rate, but the district has a comparatively low extent of feeder segregation. Solarisation of the feeders will only be possible once the district separates agricultural feeders from the rest.
Parameter | Value | Percentile |
---|---|---|
Power purchase rate for DISCOM (INR/kWh) | 4.07 | 48 |
Extent of feeder segregation | 13% | 30 |
Proportion of cultivators reporting use of electric pumps | 28% | 76 |
Not Suitable
The district has a rather low concentration of small and marginal farmers and a relatively low proportion of unirrigated area. Moreover, groundwater availability is below the safe limit, making it extremely difficult to promote solar-based irrigation through the water-as-a-service model here.
Parameter | Value | Percentile |
---|---|---|
Water Availability Index | 0.14 | 10 |
Proportion of small and marginal cultivators | 71% | 25 |
Unirrigated net sown area as a share of total net sown area | 22% | 23 |
Not Suitable
The district has a comparatively high disbursement of institutional credit to marginal farmers. But, a rather low concentration of marginal farmers, a relatively low proportion of horticulture crops under gross cropped area, and groundwater availability below the safe limit make it extremely difficult to promote 1 HP and sub-HP pumps here.
Parameter | Value | Percentile |
---|---|---|
Area under horticulture crops as a share of gross cropped area | 1% | 21 |
Water Availability Index | 0.14 | 10 |
Proportion of marginal cultivators | 46% | 29 |
Medium and long term institutional credit disbursed in a year (in INR Crore) | 407.6 | 91 |
If you are deploying solar pumps in this district then you can further these policy objectives.
In the district, horticulture crops occupy a relatively low proportion of gross cropped area, indicating an opportunity for growing more high value non-staple crops. Solar-powered irrigation could be an alternative source of reliable irrigation, making it easier to achieve crop diversification and enhance farmers’ incomes.
Parameter | Value | Percentile |
---|---|---|
Area under horticulture crops as a share of gross cropped area | 1% | 21 |
In the district, crops suitable for drip and sprinkler irrigation occupy a relatively high proportion of gross cropped area, making it easy to adopt such high precision irrigation methods. Solar pumps, along with other efficient and precise water application devices, could be deployed under Per Drop More Crop to promote efficient irrigation.
Parameter | Value | Percentile |
---|---|---|
Area under crops suitable for drip and sprinkler irrigation as a share of total cropped area | 44% | 80 |