SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION

PROBLEM AREA


The Indian agriculture sector accounts for 17 per cent of India's gross domestic product (GDP) and engages almost 50 per cent of the country's workforce. However, the majority of our farmers does not have access to reliable electricity and are either dependent on rainfall for irrigation or on diesel engines to power the pumps. The situation is even worse for small scale and marginal farmers who cannot afford expensive diesel and, many a time, stay without cultivation or end up improperly irrigating land, which leads to a low produce. This, along with the ever rising threat of global warming, provides enough cause for concern and impetus for us to make the move towards sustainable agricultural practices.

GOAL


To empower farmers with solar pumps for irrigation and reduce their dependency on expensive and/or unreliable options.

HOW PARTNERS CAN HELP


Claro Energy has installed over 3000 solar pumps for irrigation across the country. Our CSR partners can help us increase this footprint and thereby create a greater impact on the farmer community. Partners can choose to fund the entire project or fund it partially by taking a marginal charge from the farmers.
The solar water pumping systems can be used by individuals or shared by a group of farmers depending on the land size and water requirements.
Optimum utilization of solar pumps will ensure efficient and proper irrigation of farmland, which in turn will help increase crop produce. Farmers can opt for year round cultivation, or can grow a different variety of crops in a season. Such options were not possible earlier due to a lack of dependable and inexpensive access to water. Claro’s solar water pumps address farmers’ cost woes, and also help achieve the goal of sustainable development, with an eco-friendly impact. The carbon footprint generated by running diesel powered pumps is almost completely offset by switching them to solar power. A widespread transition to solar in rural areas will ensure that they do not face the kind of air pollution that urban India is grappling with today.

CLARO'S SERVICE OFFERING


1. Time impact surveys that provide the following data :
a. Before-after impact assessment of the area brought under solar irrigation.
b. Number of crops grown: Before and after installation of solar pumps.
c. Yield increase after solar irrigation based on baseline and current data provided by the beneficiaries.
d. Impact on income and lifestyle indicators of the solar pump user.

2. Training to the end user on how to efficiently utilize solar pumps for maximum output
3. Dedicated service team to help farmers and address queries/issues with the solar pumps.

To combat the widespread use of diesel, Claro Energy is also offering a movable solar pumping system that farmers can rent on demand and pay for as per their usage. Known as Irrigation As A Service (IAAS) this business model aims to reduce the cost of using a solar pump drastically. Farmers do not need to spend the large amount required to own this asset, and still enjoy and depend on its usability. The system can be moved around, moving to different cultivators over a short period of time, thus ensuring its effective utilization. Partners can choose a particular geography and fund such a system for that particular region.