Bihar’s government is revolutionizing agriculture by providing free solar pumps to farmers under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Yojana, aiming for completion by June 2025. This initiative reduces irrigation costs, boosts productivity, and promotes sustainability. Women farmers, through self-help groups, are also benefiting, challenging gender norms and fostering rural empowerment.
Solar Pumps Power Bihar’s Agricultural Transformation
In a significant push towards sustainable agriculture, the Bihar government has launched an ambitious plan to provide free solar pumps to farmers under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Yojana. Announced as part of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s vision to transform rural Bihar, this initiative is set to be fully implemented by June 2025, aligning with the state’s goal of ensuring irrigation access for every field. The program aims to replace costly diesel pumps, reduce dependency on thermal power, and enhance agricultural productivity across the state.
The initiative is a cornerstone of Bihar’s strategy to address the high cost of irrigation, which has long stifled farmers’ ability to maximize crop yields. According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), 71.9% of Bihar’s farmers rely on private irrigation service providers, paying 1.5 to 2.5 times the cost of diesel consumed. With solar pumps, which have near-zero operating costs, farmers can access affordable irrigation, enabling them to cultivate high-value crops even in the summer months. The state’s abundant sunshine makes solar irrigation an ideal solution, potentially catalyzing competitive water markets.
Under the scheme, the government is solarizing agricultural feeders to provide daytime electricity for irrigation. As of March 2025, tenders have been floated to support the transition to 1,200 MW of solar power, replacing thermal power priced at Rs 6.74 per unit with heavily subsidized solar energy at Rs 0.55 per unit. This shift is expected to save the state Rs 3,970 crore annually in subsidies while ensuring a reliable power supply. Of the 3,000 dedicated agricultural feeders required, 2,500 have already been completed, with the remaining set to be operational by mid-2025.
The initiative also empowers women farmers, particularly through self-help groups (SHGs). In Suryahi village, Muzaffarpur, women like Indu Devi, a 35-year-old widow, have embraced solar pumps to transform their livelihoods. After losing her husband in a land dispute, Indu invested in a solar pump through an SHG. Today, she earns a steady income by supplying water to neighboring fields. “It’s just a switch on and off, but it has given me a way to survive,” she said. Such stories are becoming common across Bihar, where women are challenging patriarchal norms and contributing to community development.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM) scheme supports this revolution by providing a 30% Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for standalone solar pumps up to 7.5 HP in off-grid areas. Bihar’s government supplements this with additional subsidies, reducing farmers’ initial investment to as low as 10% of the cost through bank loans. For instance, a 1 HP pump costing Rs 139,000 requires farmers to pay only Rs 10,000, with the pump designed to provide irrigation for 25 years without electricity bills.
The environmental impact is equally significant. By replacing diesel pumps, solar irrigation reduces carbon emissions, with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy estimating a potential reduction of 25.3 million tons of CO2 annually if widely adopted. Bihar’s abundant groundwater, underutilized at just 40% of its renewable capacity, can now be tapped sustainably, minimizing crop losses due to moisture stress, which affects 43.5% of paddy and 27.2% of wheat farmers in the state.
The initiative also aligns with Bihar’s broader rural development goals. The state’s focus on cluster farming and horticultural hubs complements solar irrigation, enabling farmers to diversify crops and boost incomes. By June 2025, an additional 2.85 lakh farmers are expected to receive agricultural power connections, further expanding the scheme’s reach. The combination of solar pumps and dedicated feeders ensures daytime irrigation, critical for high-value market crops, and supports discom load management by integrating renewable energy into the grid.
Despite its promise, challenges remain. The high upfront cost of solar pumps, even with subsidies, can deter small and marginal farmers. Innovative financing models, such as pay-as-you-go schemes and microloans, are crucial to ensure inclusivity. Additionally, training farmers—especially women—on pump operation and maintenance is essential for long-term sustainability. The government is collaborating with private sectors and financial institutions to address these hurdles, aiming to make solar pumps accessible to even the poorest farmers.
As Bihar moves towards its June 2025 deadline, the free solar pump initiative stands as a beacon of hope for rural communities. By harnessing the state’s abundant sunlight, it not only powers fields but also ignites a revolution in agricultural productivity, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government announcements, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and reports from sources like The India Forum, Business Standard, The Tribune, and Patna Press, published between January and July 2025. Data and projections are subject to change based on implementation progress.