Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana

The official name of the scheme is Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana. It is a flagship renewable energy and agricultural power reform initiative launched by the Government of Maharashtra to provide reliable daytime electricity supply to farmers through dedicated solar-powered agricultural feeders. Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana is a solar energy-based agricultural power supply scheme introduced by the Government of Maharashtra to ensure uninterrupted daytime electricity for farmers. Traditionally, farmers in many regions received agricultural power supply during night hours, causing inconvenience, safety concerns, and operational difficulties. This scheme aims to address that issue by solarizing agricultural feeders. Under this scheme, dedicated solar power plants are installed near agricultural feeder lines. The electricity generated from these plants is supplied directly to farmers during daytime hours. This reduces dependency on conventional grid power and lowers the subsidy burden on the state government. The scheme promotes clean energy generation, reduces transmission losses, and improves power reliability for irrigation purposes. It also supports Maharashtra’s renewable energy targets by increasing solar capacity within the state. By providing daytime electricity, the scheme enhances farm productivity, reduces risks associated with night-time farming, and promotes sustainable agricultural development.

Introduction

The official name of the scheme is Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana. It is a flagship renewable energy and agricultural power reform initiative launched by the Government of Maharashtra to provide reliable daytime electricity supply to farmers through dedicated solar-powered agricultural feeders. Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana is a solar energy-based agricultural power supply scheme introduced by the Government of Maharashtra to ensure uninterrupted daytime electricity for farmers. Traditionally, farmers in many regions received agricultural power supply during night hours, causing inconvenience, safety concerns, and operational difficulties. This scheme aims to address that issue by solarizing agricultural feeders. Under this scheme, dedicated solar power plants are installed near agricultural feeder lines. The electricity generated from these plants is supplied directly to farmers during daytime hours. This reduces dependency on conventional grid power and lowers the subsidy burden on the state government. The scheme promotes clean energy generation, reduces transmission losses, and improves power reliability for irrigation purposes. It also supports Maharashtra’s renewable energy targets by increasing solar capacity within the state. By providing daytime electricity, the scheme enhances farm productivity, reduces risks associated with night-time farming, and promotes sustainable agricultural development.

When It Started

Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana was launched in 2017 by the Government of Maharashtra. The scheme was introduced as part of the state’s broader renewable energy and power sector reform strategy. The government recognized that a significant portion of agricultural power consumption resulted in high subsidy costs and financial stress on electricity distribution companies. To address this challenge, the state decided to develop decentralized solar power plants dedicated to agricultural feeders. The first phase of the scheme aimed to install several thousand megawatts of solar capacity to serve agricultural consumers. The project was implemented in phases, with solar plants set up on government land or private land leased for solar generation. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) played a major role in implementation. Over time, the scheme expanded to include more districts and feeders, contributing significantly to Maharashtra’s renewable energy capacity. The initiative remains an important part of the state’s long-term energy sustainability plan.