THE INITIATIVE

• Creation of a renewable energy model for irrigation

THE BENEFICIARIES

• 30 farmers in 5 blocks of 2 districts in Odisha

THE CHALLENGE

• Dependence on traditional methods of irrigation
• High cost of electricity and diesel
• Less than 15 percent of net sown area irrigated in project area
• Irrigating farmlands in remote tribal areas

THE SOLUTION

• NABARD extended assistance towards designing of a lowcost irrigation model which was partly funded by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust
• A solar pump mounted on a cycle was introduced as a portable irrigation system
• Capacity-building support was given to farmers on scope of solar power

THE IMPACT

• Large areas with limited water resources irrigated by portable solar pumps with micro drip and sprinkler systems
• Crops irrigated in all seasons, with almost zero operational cost
• Decrease in consumption of diesel and electricity used for irrigation