A group of farmers of Kattuputhur near Thottiyam has proved that solar power can be used for drawing groundwater using heavy duty motors to irrigate oil palm grove.
The farmers, P.Sundaram and his son S.Gnanam of Chinnapallipalayam village, have set up a solar power plant close to an open well on their 15-acre field.
While the entire project cost was about Rs.5.17 lakh, the farmers have shelled out only Rs.1.17 lakh.
“The Central and State governments have been encouraging farmers to set up solar panels for drawing water for irrigating the fields,” he said.
The solar panels were maintenance-free, Mr.Sundaram said. Officials of the Agriculture Engineering Department, which implements the scheme, said that farmers had set up the solar panels for irrigating horticulture plants and sugarcane in other parts of the district. Another farmer, who had cultivated tapioca on about one hectare of land, had erected solar panel on his field to operate water pumps.
So far, 52 solar panels had been set up in various parts of the district – mostly in Andanallur, Manikandam, Musiri, and Thottiyam blocks. Banana and paddy were the major crops being raised by farmers using solar energy, said official sources.
