On the occasion of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, India’s 75th Year Independence, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) - IGEN Promotion of Solar Water Pumps (the programs supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by MNRE in partnership with GIZ India) came together to organise a 2-day event. The event highlighted the importance, potential as well as the achievements of Pradhan Mantri – Kisan Urja Surkasha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM). GIZ coorganised 4 sessions in the 2-day event for PM KUSUM.

On 26 August, the first session was on “Dissemination of Communication Material for PM KUSUM” prepared by Deloitte, where Mr. Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Joint Secretary, MNRE gave the key-note address and highlighted the importance and progress under PM KUSUM. In the open discussion session, the states provided feedback on the communication material and highlighted their challenges, plans and initiatives for the dissemination of communication material and outreach to farmers. In the second session, a virtual policy dialogue on maximising the productive outcomes of the Government of India’s PM-KUSUM was coorganised by MNRE, GIZ and International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The event marked the launch of the “Solar Irrigation Pump Sizing Tool”, co-developed by IWMI, CCAFS and ICAR for PM-KUSUM with support from GIZ.

On 27 August, the first session was on the “Discussion on the Financing for PM KUSUM”. A brief about the financing gaps identified under a GIZ’s funded project by Deloitte was followed by a moderated panel discussion The Panelists were from KfW bank, Canara Bank, Former Chief General Manager of NABARD, SECI and farmers who took loans under Component A. The next session was an online quiz program that was realized among state agencies implementing the PM KUSUM scheme, with the objective to understand the KUSUM scheme with finer details. Team Maharashtra (MSEDCL), Team Haryana (HAREDA) and Team Uttar Pradesh (UPNEDA) emerged as winners for Component A, Component B & Component C respectively.

For further information please contact Ms. Prerna Sharma, prerna.sharma(at)giz.de.