Now, they are proud to have found a cheaper, noise-free and pollution-free way of irrigating their farms, using the sun’s energy. And as a bonus, they are also earning by selling the surplus energy.
With the intervention of International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Sir Ratan Tata Trust through the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Program (ITP), farmers in Dhundi are now harvesting the sun’s energy and are no more dependent on diesel generators for irrigating their farms. Before the advent of solar energy in Dhundi, there were 50 diesel generators for as many irrigation pumps in the village, said Rahul Rathod, a consultant with IWMI. “Now, the farmers and their families have not only got rid of the noise, diesel fumes and spending on diesel, but are also selling solar energy worth thousands,” Rathod said.