Solar pumps and rural sustainability – UGC NET Question

Solar pumps allow farmers to access irrigation without relying entirely on diesel or unstable grid supply, lowering operating costs and local pollution. When combined with sound groundwater governance and crop planning, they can raise yields and incomes while keeping extraction within sustainable limits. They also reduce pressure on distribution companies that otherwise subsidise agricultural electricity heavily.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because solar pumps are introduced precisely to reduce diesel dependence.

Option B:
This option correctly highlights the multiple co-benefits of solar pumps and notes the importance of managing groundwater sustainably.

Option C:
Solar pumps alone cannot “automatically” solve over-extraction; institutional and regulatory measures are still needed.

Option D:
Decentralised pumps can actually reduce the need for long rural feeders, thereby lowering transmission losses.