Abstract
There are about 32 million irrigation pumps currently in use in India on farmers' lands, and so far, the farmer has had to walk to his field to switch them on and off, often at odd hours, for decades. Mobile pump controllers are changing that reality. These make it possible to control the machines remotely through a call on mobile phone, SMS or smartphone app, saving water, electricity and providing Indian farmers with more time and control of their crops.
What Is a Mobile Pump Controller?
A mobile pump controller is an electronic switch that can be installed into the pump's electric circuit so that it can be turned on or off remotely with a mobile phone. Basic models operate on a missed call or SMS and can be used on a 2G network without a smart phone. High tech models communicate through apps and have capabilities such as scheduling, soil moisture monitoring, dry run protection, and real-time alerts. These controllers work with a pump of upto 40 HP, the majority of the Indian farm setups ranging from small vegetable patches to large borewell irrigation schemes for crops such as rice, sugarcane or cotton.
Traditional Pump vs. Mobile Pump Controller: A Comparison
The table below highlights the key differences between conventional pump operation and a mobile-controlled system:
Feature |
Traditional Pump Switch |
Mobile Pump Controller |
Operation |
Manual, on-site only |
Remote via mobile/SMS/app |
Water Wastage |
High — over-irrigation common |
Low — timer & sensor controlled |
Energy Use |
Unmonitored, often excess |
Optimised, reduces electricity bill |
Dry Run Protection |
None |
Automatic shut-off |
Farmer Effort |
Must visit field physically |
Operate from home or anywhere |
Govt. Subsidy |
Not applicable |
Available under PM-KUSUM & PMKSY |
How Farmers Benefit
For the Indian farmers the biggest advantage is time saving. The time taken to turn the pump on and off in the fields can be hours of time in places such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan where fields could be kilometres away from the farmhouse. The mobile controllers take out the whole thing — the farmer can switch on irrigation at 5 AM from their bed and switch it off when the field is well watered without getting out of bed.
Water savings are also key. One of the major reasons for the depletion of groundwater in India is over-irrigation. Farmers can use timer-based and sensor-controlled irrigation systems to irrigate their crops for the correct time interval, which helps to avoid water logging or excess irrigation by 20–40%. This benefit is especially critical in water-scarce states where groundwater levels are already exceptionally low.
Another major benefit is the reduction in energy costs. The mobile controllers enable the farmer to make optimal use of electricity, even when agricultural electricity in many states is provided in uncertain time periods, without the need to be physically present. This can reduce electricity bills significantly for farmers using metered connections.
Government Support: PM-KUSUM and PMKSY
The Government of India has two significant schemes in place to promote smart irrigation practices. The PM-KUSUM scheme (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan) operated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides for the installation of solar powered pump systems which can be coupled with mobile controllers. It supports farmers switching from diesel pumps to solar-driven pumps, lowering fuel expenses considerably.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), the government has introduced a programme called 'Per Drop More Crop' (PDMC) that offers subsidies of 55% for small and marginal farmers and 45% for other farmers who use micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler setups with pump automation. The PDMC scheme has been implemented over more than 96 lakh hectares since 2015–16.
For official details, refer to the following government resources:
1. PM-KUSUM Scheme — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: https://mnre.gov.in/en/pradhan-mantri-kisan-urja-suraksha-evam-utthaan-mahabhiyaan-pm-kusum/
2. PMKSY Per Drop More Crop — Press Information Bureau: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2112401
Conclusion
An upgrade to farm technology that is one of the most practical and affordable for Indian farmers today is the mobile pump controller. They do not need higher technical experience, operate on the basic mobile networks and have immediate returns in terms of time, water and electricity saved. The financial hurdles for adopting these technologies have been reduced to the barest minimum with government subsidies under PM-KUSUM and PMKSY. If you are a farmer who is still on foot to flip a switch in the field, it is time for your smartphone to do it.
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