The main objective of this scheme is to demonstrate to the farmers the savings accruable through rectification of defects in suction and discharge lines of diesel operated irrigation pump sets. The scheme envisages replacements of fuel inefficient foot valves and suction & delivery pipes with that of fuel-efficient low friction ISI marked ones.

This scheme is coordinated by PCRA and executed by State Energy Development Agencies, Co-operative Institute and Private Organizations with relevant experiences in this field etc. The executing agencies identify the farmer-beneficiaries having inefficient diesel driven pumping systems and are ready to bear 50% of the material cost required for rectification of the system.

Under the scheme, the executing agency replaces the inefficient foot valve (high friction foot valve) with efficient ISI marked foot valve (low friction foot valve) having a friction factor less than 0.8 and existing GI suction & delivery pipes with rigid PVC pipes (having internal diameter equal to or more than existing GI pipe). As the basic objective is to demonstrate the benefits, number of pump sets rectified under the scheme in a village is limited to five. The executing agency demonstrates the diesel conservation achievable for the benefits of other farmers to enable them to adopt similar conservation measures. About 25% to 35% fuel saving is possible in the pump sets by using efficient foot valves and suction & delivery pipes.

The estimated material cost for each rectification as envisaged above is about Rs.1,200/- Under this scheme PCRA bears 50% of the cost of material limited to a maximum of Rs. 600/- per pump set and full service charges to executing agencies. The balance 50% of the material cost is borne by farmer beneficiary.