CM Kejriwal: Solar energy scheme to boost farmers' income

New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced the “Mukhyanmantri Kisan Aaye Badhotri Solar Yojna” aiming to increase the income of farmers by three to five times in the national capital.

According to the scheme, which was approved by the Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday, maximum of one-third surface area of agriculture land can be used for installing solar panels in such a way that agriculture activity is not affected.

Talking to mediapersons here after the Cabinet meeting, the chief minister said that the present estimated annual income of farmers is Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre per year.

“With the introduction of this scheme, farmers’ income will increase by as any as three to five times per acre,” the CM said.

He also said the minimum height for installing solar panels will be 3.5 metre so as to ensure that agriculture activity is not affected. “Also, the farmers will not have to invest anything in this scheme. Around five companies have so far shown interest in it,” chief minister Kejriwal said.

The chief minister also said the Delhi government’s departments will also buy electricity from companies which have installed solar panels on the agriculture land. At present, the government departments buy electricity at Rs 9 per unit, but with this scheme, the departments can buy electricity at Rs 4 per unit due to which the government will save as much as Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore per annum.

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