The Mauritian government has launched a program to support agricultural cooperatives and water user societies in adopting solar-powered irrigation systems. The program, which aims to reduce the cost of irrigation for cooperatives, offers a subsidy of up to Rs 2 million for the installation of photovoltaic systems with a maximum capacity of 30 kWp. This initiative targets Mauritian cooperatives that use electric pumps for irrigation.
To be eligible for the subsidy, cooperatives must submit a project proposal, which should include details on the technical criteria, site ownership or access, grid connection, maintenance, insurance, and expected savings. The project proposal must be submitted in a prescribed format to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives by November 11, 2026. A briefing session is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at the Life Insurance Corporation of India Building in Port-Louis.
The solar irrigation project aims to reduce the electricity costs of cooperatives and improve the resilience of their farming operations. However, the viability of the project depends on several factors, including actual solar production, pump consumption profile, grid connection conditions, and cooperative governance. Therefore, a thorough financial and technical assessment is essential before submitting the proposal.
The Ministry of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives emphasizes that the subsidy of up to Rs 2 million is not an automatic right for all applicants. The selection of cooperatives will be based on their project proposals, which should demonstrate the potential for reducing irrigation costs and improving the sustainability of their operations.
The program is open to agricultural cooperatives and water user societies that use electric pumps for irrigation. The photovoltaic system installed under this program should have a maximum capacity of 30 kWp, and the electricity generated should be used to offset the cooperatives' electricity bills. The revenue generated from exporting excess electricity to the grid should be used to subsidize the cooperatives' electricity costs.
A successful project can help reduce the financial burden of irrigation for cooperatives, allowing them to allocate more resources to other aspects of their operations. The program also aligns with the Mauritian government's efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels.
Interested cooperatives are advised to attend the briefing session on October 14, 2026, to clarify any questions they may have about the program and the proposal submission process. They should also conduct a thorough assessment of their project's technical and financial feasibility before submitting their proposals by the deadline.
Key points
- The Mauritian government offers up to Rs 2 million for solar irrigation projects in agricultural cooperatives.
- The program aims to reduce the cost of irrigation for cooperatives and promote sustainable agriculture.
- Cooperatives must submit their project proposals by November 11, 2026, to be eligible for the subsidy.
