Tribal farmers ignite renewable revolution

Kothagudem: Tribal farmers in Lakshmi Devipally mandal have transformed 300 acres of wasteland into productive farmland using solar-powered pump sets provided free by the state government. Inspired by this achievement, district authorities plan to extend the renewable energy initiative to tribal communities in agency areas that lack three-phase electricity.

In 2017, the Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TGREDCO) installed 30 solar pump sets across nine hamlets — Bangaruchelaka, Yarlagandi, Lakshmipuram, Padagaigudem, Bojjalagudem, Chinthakunta, Marrigudem, Mylaram, and Punukudu Chelaka — where inadequate power supply had hindered bore well cultivation. Each solar pump set, valued at Rs 5 lakh, was allocated to every two to three tribal farmers and designed to irrigate 10 acres of land. This intervention enabled the communities to cultivate two crops annually, turning barren land into fertile fields.

District officials, encouraged by the success, are now surveying the area to determine the additional number of solar pump sets required. Bhadrachalam ITDA project officer Rahul stated, "We will conduct a survey to assess the needs and then submit a proposal to the state government to further expand this renewable energy initiative at the micro level."