The state's farmers' leaders are sceptical about chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's scheme to replace the 40 lakh electric water pumps in the state with solar-powered ones. This move will land farmers in further trouble, leading to a larger agrarian crisis, farmers' leaders told dna.
Vijay Jawandhia, a farmers' leader asked: "Has Fadnavis conducted any study to gauge if the scheme is viable? The Haryana government had also started a similar scheme. What happened to it? Our state government should see the results of that scheme before it implements this one at such a large level."
Jawandhia said: "A few years ago, the Maharashtra government installed solar lights in rural areas. The government spent almost Rs 45,000 per solar light. Where are these lights now? Such ideas seem fancy but are not feasible."
Jawandhia asked why Narendra Modi did not implement the idea in Gujarat when he was the chief minister of that state.
Jawandhia said that the ground water table has sunken deep across Maharashtra. "Farmers have to use high-voltage water pumps to suck up water. Only where the level of the water is quite high and easily available are solar water pumps usable. This scheme will land farmers in deep trouble, leading to a larger agrarian crisis in the state," he said.
Besides, the state is ready to give three lakh solar water pumps at subsidised rates to big and irrigated land-holding farmers. "But what about the non-irrigated and small landholders? Will the state government support them too?" asked Jawandhia.
Tukaram Patil, a farmer from Dhule, said: "In summer, most of the wells and bore-wells are virtually dry. It is in dry spells during monsoons that water pumps are widely used. Due to cloudy weather, farmers will not able to generate solar power. If there is no alternative source of power, then a farmer must leave his crops un-irrigated. Besides, landholdings are generally of small size, and we need lots of land to lay out solar panels. The scheme is unsuitable for Indian farmers," Patil said.
Sadabhau Khot, state president of Swabhimani Shetakari Sangathna welcomed the state's decision, but raised many doubts. Khot said rural areas have 12 hours of load-shedding at present, and farmers are unable to water their crops on time. "If solar energy is the way out, then it should be used. But the cost of the pumps should be borne by the government. Farmers cannot afford to pay for installation of solar water pumps. Moreover, the state should take care of the upkeep of the system," said Khot.
Nanasaheb Patil, the president of Shetkari Sangarsh Samiti, said that the state government had earlier planned to use solar pumps at those places which do not yet have electric supply. "However, they have tweaked the rules and now decided to replace the existing electric power pumps with solar-powered ones. It is a good idea but we have to see how it works on the ground," said Patil.
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