Agri-Photovoltaics Lights the Way for Sustainable Farming: KVK Cuttack Hosts Awareness Workshop for Farmers

25 June, 2026, Cuttack

In a significant step towards promoting climate-smart agriculture and clean energy solutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Cuttack, under ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack in collaboration with the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) and ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, organized an Awareness Workshop on Agriphotovoltaics (Agri-PV) at ICAR-CRRI, Cuttack. The programme formed part of a national initiative being implemented by the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) in partnership with the National Skills Foundation of India (NSFI), with support from GIZ, to create awareness among farmers about Agri-Photovoltaics as an emerging business opportunity that can be seamlessly integrated with agricultural production systems.

The programme commenced with a welcome address highlighting the growing importance of Agri-PV systems in addressing the dual challenges of sustainable agriculture and clean energy generation. The integration of renewable energy technologies into farming systems was emphasized as a means of creating resilient and profitable agricultural enterprises.

The technical session covered the concepts, models, and practical benefits of agriphotovoltaics, along with successful field experiences, government initiatives, and emerging skill development opportunities in the renewable energy sector. Participatory exercises and group activities enabled farmers to gain hands-on understanding of Agri-PV systems and their practical applications.

The need to integrate renewable energy technologies with agriculture to address future challenges related to food security, increasing energy demands, and climate change was underscored. Farmers were encouraged to adopt innovative technologies that enhance farm profitability while conserving natural resources.

Participants were also motivated to stay informed about emerging agricultural technologies and actively engage in capacity-building programmes to support their effective adoption at the grassroots level.

Reflecting on the significance of the initiative, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, stated that such programmes have the potential to usher in a new era of resource security for farmers by promoting solar-powered agricultural systems that reduce dependence on conventional energy sources while protecting the environment. He noted that Government of India under PM-KUSUM initiative promoting solar energy in agriculture are among the world's largest clean-energy programmes and urged farmers to take advantage of these transformative opportunities to enhance farm sustainability and income.

The programme concluded with an interactive Q&A Session, during which farmers actively sought clarifications and shared their views regarding the adoption, feasibility, and long-term benefits of Agri-Photovoltaic systems.

A total of 45 farmers, farm women, and rural youth participated in the workshop, which highlighted the transformative potential of Agriphotovoltaics (Agri-PV) an innovative land-use approach that integrates crop cultivation with solar energy generation on the same parcel of land, thereby enhancing resource-use efficiency, farm income, and sustainability. The technology offers a promising pathway to enhance land-use efficiency, diversify farm income, strengthen energy security, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

The awareness campaign reinforced the growing recognition that the convergence of agriculture and renewable energy can play a pivotal role in building climate-resilient farming systems, empowering rural communities, and accelerating India's transition towards sustainable agricultural development.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)