Objective:

This programme promises Energy efficiency through agriculture demand side management by reduction in overall power consumption, improving efficiencies of ground water extraction, reducing subsidy burden on state utilities and also investment in power plants through avoided capacity.

Background:

Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy over 70% of the rural households depend on agriculture. Agriculture is an important sector of Indian economy as it contributes about 17% to the total GDP and provides employment to over 60% of the population. AgDSM programme consists of methodologies and policies aimed at bringing a change in the power consumption patterns of consumers (farmers). All project implemented under AgDSM in India have focused on replacement of existing inefficient agricultural pump sets with BEE star-rated energy efficient pump sets along with creating awareness for using Energy Efficient pump sets.

Highlights of the programme:

To promote the Energy Efficiency in various fields of Agriculture sector the major initiative that have been undertaken are:

• Driving nationwide awareness programs for farmers to promote the adoption of EE pumps
• Organizing technical training programs for pump technicians.
• Creating awareness among farmers by using print media and electronic media channels.
• Demonstration project on “IoT and sensor based Climate Smart Agriculture Initiatives”.
• Development of the mobile application.
• Energy Efficiency in Aquaculture (Fisheries) through use of Energy Efficient Aerators.
• Preparation of DPRs for AgDSM program.

Target beneficiaries:

• Farmers
• DISCOMs
• Various Stakeholders: Land owners, farm workers, unions, farmers’ associations, Seed Suppliers, Pesticide manufacturers, Fertiliser manufacturer, Cold chain design consultant, cold chain manufacturers and reefer transport.