Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 1 announced that the state government is working to expand irrigation coverage to more than 27 lakh hectares, with a strong emphasis on increasing the use of solar-powered irrigation systems under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme.
Sharing the update on X, Sarma said the government is accelerating the installation of solar water pumps across the state to provide farmers with reliable year-round irrigation, improve agricultural productivity and enhance rural incomes.
The Chief Minister noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Assam’s economy, with nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population dependent on the sector. He added that around 85 per cent of the state’s cultivators are small and marginal farmers.
Sarma said Assam’s agricultural sector has traditionally faced multiple challenges, including unpredictable monsoon rainfall, limited water retention infrastructure, recurring drought conditions and heavy reliance on expensive diesel-powered irrigation pumps, all of which have affected farm productivity.
According to the Chief Minister, expanding solar-powered irrigation will ensure continuous access to water for cultivation, support crop diversification, encourage greater agricultural participation and reduce carbon emissions by replacing diesel-operated pumps with clean energy alternatives.
The initiative is part of the Assam government’s broader strategy to modernise the agricultural sector and strengthen farmers’ livelihoods through sustainable and climate-resilient irrigation infrastructure.
