0.75 HP solar water pumping systems as an irrigation option for Small and Marginal Farmers

Only 36% of the total cropped area in India falls under irrigated land and the rest 64% is rainfed. According to the 2010/11 Census [1], out of 85% of the total farmer families, more than 67% belong to marginal farmers and 18% to small farmers. Many times the land is fragmented into 2–3 different patches. Irrigation is an important aspect in agriculture to improve agricultural productivity and reduced dependence on rains. Irrigation can be powered either by electricity or diesel, wherein the operational cost of diesel-based irrigation is much higher and also not very environmentally friendly. In this context, the introduction of solar-powered water pumping system is a good option in the remote areas where grid supply is either intermittent or not available at all. This article discusses the initiative where solar water pumps for irrigation were tested in small and marginal farms in Golaghat District.