Need Policy Framework to Promote Solar Energy in Dairy Network : RK Singh

RK Singh pitches for creating an enabling and stable policy framework to further propagate usage of solar energy, utilizing the dairy cooperative network for the benefit of the farmers.

Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy RK Singh proposed the idea for creating a new policy framework to promote the use of solar energy in dairy cooperative network of the country for the benefit of all farmers in the sector.

Speaking at a workshop organized by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Singh highlighted the need for creating an enabling and stable policy framework to further propagate usage of solar energy. Stressing on the need for utilizing the dairy cooperative network for the benefit of the farmers.

“The entire dairy chain from village-level milk pooling to product delivery is energy intensive. Extensive use of solar energy in the dairy value chain can significantly reduce operational cost and promote the use of clean energy,” he said.

Presently, the Centre is promoting solar pumps in the agriculture sector to ensure use of clean energy and at the same time reduce farm subsidy burden, the Minister of State for Renewable Energy said in a statement.

He also mentioned that grid-connected solar pumps are an alternative and viable solution which while ensuring water for free for farmers also helps them earn additional income by selling surplus energy.

The dairy network has around 1.65 lakh village-level dairy cooperatives, 218 district/ regional/taluk unions and 24 state dairy federations. About 15 million milk producers are affiliated with this network. As at March-end 2018, the network maintains 72 million liters per day (MLPD) of processing capacity, 18 MLPD of chilling capacity and 38 MLPD of village-level milk cooling capacity.

Source: PTI