Solar power: Harnessing the sun to water fields

MADURAI: The land surrounding N Devaraj's farm in Rayapalayam near Thirumangalam appears to be parched and barren, but not his. Since the rains are occasional here, farmers have to depend on irrigation methods to water the fields, but Devaraj has managed to harness nature to his advantage. A graduate in agricultural science, he has installed an irrigation pump powered by solar energy.
The solar panels automatically tilts to harness sunlight during day. Water is pumped from his open well to a micro irrigation system. Using this combination of solar power and micro irrigation, he cultivates manila tamarind (pithecellobium dulce), jamun (syzygium cumini), chikku and gooseberry trees in his farm. He also cultivates curry leaves as an inter crop between the trees.
Under integrated farming method, Devaraj manages to harvest rain water to a farm pond where the open well is situated. He also constructed a pack house to grade his agricultural produces. "After retiring from my service from State Bank of India, I took up agriculture as a full time profession and utilised my knowledge in agriculture studies to cultivate the land," he said.
Interacting with district collector K Veera Raghava Rao during the press tour organised by the district information and public relations department on Wednesday, the farmer said he opted for open well as a 5hp AC motor is not enough for bore wells. At least 7.5 HP motor is required if it has to be used with bore wells, he suggested to officials. Similarly Devaraj also petitioned the collector that wild animals like deer and wild boars were causing lot of damage to the crops in the region.
According to horticulture officials, 80% subsidy is provided to farmers establishing solar powered irrigation pumps in their farms. Out of 4.39 lakh spent, they can avail a subsidy of 3.35 lakh, said deputy director of horticulture, G O Poopathi.
Farmers in arid areas are making best use of the solar powered pumps. Another farmer at Vagaikulam in Thirumangalam block cultivates sugar cane using this solar pump, he said. There are also two more solar pumps established by farmers with the help of the agricultural engineering department, he added.