In rural Assam, where agriculture sustains over 70 percent of households, irrigation was traditionally dependent on rain patterns or expensive diesel-powered pumps. My uncle, who cultivates winter paddy and seasonal vegetables on six bighas near Nagaon, spent over ₹14,000 on diesel during a dry spell two years ago. When he switched to an electric pump set under APDCL’s rural agricultural feeder scheme, his seasonal power expense dropped by more than 75%.
To encourage modern agricultural practices and reduce irrigation costs, the Government of Assam and APDCL offer subsidized power tariffs for agricultural connections. Whether you operate a small 2 HP pump for vegetable farming, a 5 HP lift irrigation pump, or power equipment for fisheries and dairy farms, this guide explains how APDCL agricultural tariffs work in 2026 and provides an online tool to calculate your exact monthly power costs.
APDCL Agriculture & Irrigation Tariff Slabs (2026-27)
Agricultural power in Assam falls under two specific categories under Low Tension (LT) supply: LT Agricultural Irrigation (LT-AG) for crop watering and pump sets, and Allied Agricultural Activities covering tea nurseries, poultry farms, dairy units, and fishery aeration systems.
| Category | Supply Type | Energy Rate (₹/kWh) | Fixed Charge (₹/HP/Month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT Agricultural Irrigation | Metered Power Supply | ₹4.20 / unit | ₹35.00 per HP / month |
| Allied Agriculture (Fisheries/Dairy) | Metered Power Supply | ₹4.85 / unit | ₹45.00 per HP / month |
| High Tension Agricultural Processing | HT Supply (11 kV) | ₹5.60 / kVAh | ₹180.00 per kVA / month |
Converting Pump Horsepower (HP) to Electricity Units
Understanding how much electricity your pump set consumes is straightforward once you know the mathematical conversion between Horsepower and Kilowatts:
- Step 1 (HP to kW Conversion): Multiply your pump’s rated Horsepower by 0.746 (since $1 ext{ HP} = 0.746 ext{ kW}$). For example, a 5 HP pump set uses $5 imes 0.746 = 3.73 ext{ kW}$.
- Step 2 (Daily Consumption): Multiply total kW by the number of hours the pump runs per day. A 5 HP pump running 4 hours a day consumes $3.73 imes 4 = 14.92 ext{ units per day}$.
- Step 3 (Monthly Consumption): Multiply daily units by the days operated per month. Operating 20 days in a month equals $14.92 imes 20 = 298.4 ext{ units}$.
- Step 4 (Total Bill Calculation): Energy charges ($298.4 imes ₹4.20 = ₹1,253.28$) + Fixed HP charges ($5 imes ₹35 = ₹175.00$) + FPPPA + Electricity Duty (5%).
Government Schemes & Subsidies for Assam Farmers
Apart from reduced tariff rates, farmers in Assam can benefit from several government schemes to further reduce power expenses:
- PM-KUSUM Component-B & C: Provides up to 80% subsidy for installing standalone solar irrigation pumps or solarizing existing APDCL grid-connected pumps.
- Mukhyamantri Krishi Sa-Sajuli Yojana: Provides financial grants directly to farmers for purchasing agricultural machinery and electric pump sets.
- Dedicated Agriculture Feeders: APDCL is establishing separate rural power feeders to supply uninterrupted 8-hour daytime power for farming pump sets across Assam districts.
How to Use the Calculator
Step 1. Select your pump horsepower (e.g. 1.5 HP, 2 HP, 3 HP, 5 HP, 7.5 HP, 10 HP).
Step 2. Enter average daily running hours and estimated operating days in the billing month.
Step 3. Choose the connection type (Irrigation Pump or Fisheries/Poultry/Dairy).
Step 4. Click Calculate Agricultural Bill to get an instant itemized breakdown of energy charges, fixed HP fees, duty, and net total bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are required to get an agricultural electricity connection in Assam?
To apply for an APDCL agricultural connection, you need a copy of your Aadhaar card, land possession certificate (Jamabandi or Dharitree land record copy), Khasra/Dag details, and a recommendation letter from your local Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) or Gaon Panchayat.
Can a farmer run domestic household appliances on an agricultural power connection?
No. APDCL strictly prohibits using agricultural power connections for residential or domestic purposes. Inspection teams carry out periodic checks, and unauthorized usage can lead to heavy penalties or disconnection.
Is electricity free for farmers in Assam?
Electricity is not completely free in Assam, but it is heavily subsidized at ₹4.20/unit, which is nearly half the cost of commercial or upper-slab domestic electricity rates.
How does solar pump net metering work under PM-KUSUM in Assam?
When a farmer installs grid-connected solar panels under PM-KUSUM, excess power generated during non-irrigation periods is exported back to APDCL. At the end of the year, APDCL credits the farmer for surplus units, turning the farm into a source of income.
What should I do if my agricultural transformer gets damaged?
You can lodge an immediate complaint on the APDCL 1912 helpline or mobile app. Under APDCL rural service standards, damaged agricultural transformers must be repaired or replaced within 48 to 72 hours.