Raigad district administration has introduced portable solar pump sets to tribal farmers, aiming to transform agriculture in remote areas under the Chief Minister’s 100-Day Action Plan. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce farmers’ dependency on diesel-powered irrigation while promoting sustainable farming practices.
The project was launched after District Collector Kishan Jawale visited Killa village in Roha taluka around 40 days ago. During his visit, he observed that tribal farmers were cultivating nearly 400 acres of land with high-value vegetables such as ridge gourd, bitter gourd, okra, and watermelon—primarily using diesel pumps for irrigation.
However, the high cost of diesel—approximately Rs 65 lakh per season or Rs 1.30 crore annually—was proving to be a heavy financial burden on the farmers. With most of the land under cultivation not owned by the farmers themselves, setting up conventional solar pump systems was not viable.
Portable Solar Pump Set Up |
Portable Solar Pump Set Up |
Portable Solar Pump Set Up |
To address this challenge, the administration conceptualized a unique solution: portable and movable solar pump sets. “Designed in collaboration with solar energy expert Abhijit Dharmadhikari, the units can be easily transported using tractors, allowing farmers to share and use them across different plots,” a statement released by District Information Officer (DIO) of Raigad, said.
Portable Solar Pump Set Up |
Portable Solar Pump Set Up |
“The successful trial run of these 5HP solar pumps proves that they are a game changer for tribal agriculture,” said Collector Jawale. “This will not only reduce costs for farmers but also encourage eco-friendly farming by cutting down on diesel use and pollution.”
The initiative is expected to bring about annual savings of over Rs 1.30 crore in fuel costs and boost productivity by improving irrigation efficiency. In a symbolic event, some of these pumps were handed over to farmers in the presence of dignitaries.
District Agriculture Superintendent Vandana Shinde, Prant Officer Dnyaneshwar Khutwal, Tehsildar Kishor Deshmukh, Agriculture Officer Mahadev Kare, and farmer representative Makrand Bartakke were among those present during the ceremony.
“This project is aligned with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ vision to uplift the lowest rungs of society through innovation,” Jawale added. “It will help tribal farmers improve their yields, reduce input costs, and ultimately lead to better livelihoods.”
The administration also highlighted the environmental benefits of using solar energy and confirmed that more portable solar pump units will be made available soon, helping scale the project across Raigad’s tribal farming communities.
