The Maharashtra government is exploring several options to bring down subsidies provided to farmers including solar energy. The state’s vision document 2030 suggested that the power connection for agriculture pumps will increase from 40 lakh to 60 lakh by the next decade. Due to this, the total expenditure on power subsidy in the agriculture sector is likely to cross Rs 65,000 crore in next ten years, a report by ‘The Indian Express’has said. The Maharashtra vision documents 2030 looks to chart the way forward to ensure the economy is safeguarded and development continues apace. Here are 10 explanatory points:

* An official, while elaborating on the challenges in the power sector for agriculture, said they received a mandate from state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure that connections reach maximum numbers of farmers in the state at the earliest.

* Currently, electricity is provided to farmers for agriculture pumps at 0.85 paise per unit, but the electricity cost falls between Rs 4.50 and Rs 5 per unit. The difference is recovered through a cross subsidy from the commercial consumers and industries in Maharashtra.

* The Maharashtra Government felt that providing a separate solar feeder for farmers in the state could work out in next couple of years.

* It has cleared pilot projects which would be extended all across Maharashtra in 2018.

* The state government is looking at a model that would help farmers of the state with round the clock uninterrupted power supply for better agriculture production

* As per department’s data, “In the year 2015-16, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MahaVitran) provided new electricity connection to 1.30 lakh agriculture pumps. It has set the same target of 1.30 lakh for the year 2016-17. Almost attaining its target of one lakh, so far.”

* About 40 lakh farmers who use agriculture pumps on power subsidy, were provided Rs 4,790.89 crore in 2016-17 as compared to a year before.

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* The solar feeder model will be helpful for farmers as it is economical and workable for farmers in long run.

* As per the report, the solar model would be cheaper for farmers, after initial installation cost.

* It will provide extended hours of power for farmers.