| dc.description.abstract | Water pumping for irrigation is a big contributor to Indian carbon emissions, as it is responsible for a
large share of Indian electricity and diesel consumption. Incomes of most people in India are dependent
on agriculture and increasing incomes through irrigation can improve their quality of living. In addition to
that, irrigation is essential for India to sustain self-sufficiency in food production. Diffusion of low carbon
energy solutions for irrigation in India has slowly started, but remains far below its potential. This
research is concerned with options to reduce carbon emissions for irrigation in India and issues affecting
the implementation of new technologies. This study concludes that solar photovoltaic (SPV) pumps,
windmill pumps, solar-wind hybrid systems, increasing energy efficiency and drip irrigation are suitable
low carbon energy solutions for irrigation in India. Furthermore, it shows that high initial costs and
unattractive payback periods are not the main financial barrier for some low carbon energy solutions,
such as windmill pumps and increasing energy efficiency. The lack of access to formal financing facilities
in rural areas does form a barrier as well. Programmatic Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and
subsidies are appropriate options to increase financial attractiveness of low carbon energy solutions for
irrigation. The commercialisation of microfinance can increase farmers´ access to formal credit in rural
areas, although this trend should be strictly controlled by the government. From a SWOT analysis can be
concluded the best low carbon solution differs per location and depends on many factors, such as annual
solar irradiation, average wind speed, type of soil and crop, requirements and habits of farmers etc. This
research suggests that there should be more emphasis on the needs and values of farmers. It is
therefore of great importance to support local grass root initiatives, which enable famers’ access to
information and knowledge about modern irrigation practices. Combining drip irrigation with renewable
energy technologies and knowledge about farmer’s needs and irrigation practices will accelerate the
diffusion of low carbon energy solutions for irrigation in India. | |
