New Delhi: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for developing a farmer-friendly AgriVoltaics model that allows crops to grow beneath solar panels while generating electricity, saying the approach can increase rural incomes without compromising agricultural production.
Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Wednesday, Chouhan said farmers could become both ‘annadatas’ (food providers) and ‘urjadatas’ (energy providers) by integrating solar power generation with agriculture.
He stressed that the policy must cater to India’s small and marginal farmers, who account for more than 85 per cent of the farming community. With the average landholding at just 0.96 hectares, he said, the model must allow farmers to continue cultivation while earning additional income from solar energy.
AgriVoltaics involves installing solar panels above agricultural land so that electricity can be generated while crops continue to grow underneath. Chouhan said the system should be designed around the practical needs of farmers, including the height of panels, spacing between structures and access for ploughing and other farm operations.
He emphasised that agricultural productivity must not suffer and farmers should retain the flexibility to select crops and change cropping cycles according to their requirements.
Farmers’ Interests Must Be Protected
Chouhan called for addressing practical challenges before AgriVoltaics projects are implemented on a large scale. He stressed the need for proper drainage and collection systems for rainwater falling from solar panels to prevent soil erosion and ensure efficient use of water.
He also highlighted the need for reliable arrangements to purchase the electricity generated, connect projects to the power grid and ensure transparent, timely payments to farmers.
The minister suggested involving Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the initiative and providing training to rural youth and women to operate, repair and maintain the equipment. Such measures, he said, could create employment opportunities within villages.
He also called for safeguards to protect farmers if a company abandons a project midway or solar panels have to be removed after a contract expires. Farmers should not be left to bear the financial or physical burden in such situations, he said.
Chouhan assured Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi that the Agriculture Ministry would work closely with his ministry to develop a model that supports farming, renewable energy generation and farmers’ economic well-being.
47.5 Million Hectares Suitable for AgriVoltaics
Speaking at the conference, Joshi said a study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) had identified 47.5 million hectares of India’s agricultural land as technically suitable for AgriVoltaics.
According to the study cited by the minister, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh together account for around half of the suitable land.
Joshi said that installing AgriVoltaics systems across just 10 per cent of the identified suitable area could potentially meet India’s projected electricity demand up to 2050. He also cited studies indicating that the technology could increase crop yields by 10 to 20 per cent.
Highlighting India’s progress in renewable energy, Joshi said the country’s total electricity generation capacity had increased from around 249 GW before 2014 to more than 560 GW. Installed non-fossil energy capacity had crossed 308 GW, with 100 GW added over the preceding two and a half years, he said.
The cost of non-fossil electricity had also declined from Rs 11 per unit in 2012-13 to Rs 2.60 per unit, according to the minister.
Joshi added that India had recorded 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter of the current financial year, describing the country’s economic performance as a source of opportunity for expanding renewable energy applications.
New AgriVoltaics Programme Planned Under PM-KUSUM
Joshi announced that the government would soon launch an ambitious AgriVoltaics programme under the next phase of the PM-KUSUM scheme.
He said 30 lakh agricultural pumps had already been connected to solar energy under the scheme, helping farmers access daytime electricity for irrigation and reducing the difficulties associated with watering fields at night.
Citing estimates of the sector’s employment potential, he said AgriVoltaics could generate around 3.32 lakh full-time local jobs. The opportunities could help rural youth find employment in their communities rather than migrate to larger towns and cities.
Focus on Farmer-Centric Solutions
Chouhan also highlighted India’s progress in agriculture, noting that the country had moved from dependence on foodgrain imports to maintaining substantial stocks of wheat and rice. He said the agriculture sector continued to grow at around 4.5 per cent, while agricultural exports had reached a record US$52.55 billion.
With sowing for the 2026-27 rabi season under way, he said there was a need to adopt new approaches to sustain farmers’ prosperity while meeting the country’s growing food and energy needs.
The inaugural session was attended by Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik; German Ambassador to India and Bhutan Dr Jasper Wieck; Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Santosh Kumar Sarangi; Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Atish Chandra; Indian Council of Agricultural Research Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat; and International Solar Alliance Director General Ashish Khanna.
Technical tools and communication materials related to AgriVoltaics were also released during the session to help farmers and other stakeholders make informed decisions about implementing the technology at the field level.
