Can a solar trolley be the solution to protect solar pumps from theft and damage?
Farmer Ajit Singh With His Solar Trolley | Photo by Chandra Pratap Tiwari
Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are looking for ways to protect their solar pumps from theft, natural disasters, and vandalism. By developing a mobile solar pump system, farmer Jai Singh has attempted to address all these challenges at once.For Singh, a former professor of geography, managing farming alongside his profession was challenging, but irrigation was the biggest problem. He was looking for a solution that could address all these challenges at once.Singh wanted his son Ajit Singh, who now manages the farms full-time, to avoid the problems he had struggled with. While posted in Tikamgarh, in North Madhya Pradesh, he came up with the idea of building a solar pump trolley to irrigate his fragmented fields without depending on grid electricity or diesel.When he began looking for a solution, Jai Singh came across an advertisement for Haryana-based TGSP, a company that was manufacturing a portable solar pump almost exactly like the one he had envisioned. Singh said, “Because of the fear of theft and vandalism, and because our land is fragmented, we could not opt for a permanent solar pump available under the government subsidy scheme. So, we had this portable solar pump built.”Singh said TGSP delivered the mobile solar pump to his doorstep within three months of placing the order. He spent ₹3.8 lakh on the system, along with ₹55,000 for transportation. He has used it for the past five years and hasn’t faced any operational challenges.Ajit said the roads leading to their fields are uneven. The solar trolley has to be driven carefully over the rough, undulating terrain. But the mobile solar pump has made their lives much easier, as rising diesel prices and erratic power cuts had been major challenges. With this solution, they can now irrigate their fields whenever they want, at their convenience.Ajit’s assistant, Dharmdas Saket, is responsible for taking the mobile solar pump to the fields and operating it for irrigation. He says it is easy to use. A technician explained how to operate it once when it was installed, and since then, he has managed it without any difficulty. Recalling the old days, he says, “There used to be a lot more running around before.”Jai Singh pointed to several other benefits of the mobile solar pump. He said, “Whether it is powering the house, running other farm equipment, or operating a small business such as a dal mill or flour mill, it can be useful for all these purposes.”Asked why it may be difficult for other farmers to adopt mobile solar pumps, Jai Singh said, “Perhaps not every farmer can afford an investment of ₹4 lakh. The lack of financing options for such solutions is also a barrier.”Theft, damage caused by natural disasters, and vandalism of permanently installed solar pumps have become challenges for farmers across India. Farmers are exploring different ways to protect their solar pumps. Some dismantle their pumps and take them home, but doing so can put their warranty at risk. In cases of theft or damage, farmers also face several difficulties. To understand the issue in greater detail, you can read our report here.
Note: This photo story is part of the series produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.
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Rajeev Tyagi is an independent environmental journalist in India reporting on the intersection of science, policy and public. With over five years of experience, he has covered issues at the grassroots level and how climate change alters the lives of the most vulnerable in his home country of India. He has experience in climate change reporting, and documentary filmmaking. He recently graduated with a degree in Science Journalism from Columbia Journalism School. When he is not covering climate stories, you’ll probably find Tyagi exploring cities on foot, uncovering quirky bits of history along the way.
Climate journalist and visual storyteller based in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, India. He reports on critical environmental issues, including renewable energy, just transition, agriculture and biodiversity with a rural perspective.
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