Politics · India Bureau
MNRE to resolve farm productivity concerns in agrivoltaics push
India's renewable energy ministry has committed to addressing agriculture sector concerns over agrivoltaics deployment under the next phase of PM KUSUM. The assurance comes as the government seeks to balance solar energy expansion with protection of farming interests.
LSN India ·
Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will work to resolve issues raised by the Agriculture Ministry regarding agrivoltaic systems planned under the upcoming phase of the Prime Minister Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) scheme.
Agrivoltaics, which integrates solar power generation with agricultural activities on the same land, has emerged as a key component of India's renewable energy strategy. However, concerns have been flagged by agriculture stakeholders over potential impacts on crop yields and farming viability.
Joshi's statement signals the MNRE's commitment to developing a framework that enables renewable energy growth while safeguarding agricultural productivity. The assurance is expected to pave the way for broader stakeholder consensus on agrivoltaic projects under the next phase of PM KUSUM, which aims to enhance farmers' incomes through renewable energy generation.
The PM KUSUM scheme, launched in 2019, has already supported thousands of farmers in installing solar pumps and generating surplus power for grid sale. The expansion into agrivoltaics is seen as an opportunity to create additional revenue streams for agricultural communities while contributing to India's renewable energy targets.