The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has outlined plans to integrate solar energy production with farming through agrivoltaics, allowing farmers to generate electricity on their land while continuing to grow crops. Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi made this announcement at a curtain-raiser event for the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026, which will take place in New Delhi from 21st to 23rd October 2026. The initiative forms part of the next phase of PM-KUSUM and targets small and marginal farmers, farmer producer organisations, cooperatives and panchayats.
What the scheme offers
Under the agrivoltaics component, farmers can earn income from three sources on the same land: crop sales, electricity sold to the distribution company (DISCOM), and savings from reduced diesel consumption. The approach allows solar panels to be installed above crops, which continue growing beneath them.
Currently, around 29 lakh agricultural pumps have been solarised under PM-KUSUM. Last year, decentralised solar capacity added 16.3 GW, including 7.6 GW from PM-KUSUM and 8.7 GW from rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, benefiting approximately 5.6 million households.
The Ministry emphasised that land ownership remains with the farmer. Given that more than 85 percent of Indian farmers are small and marginal farmers cultivating less than 2 hectares, the scheme aims to provide income security independent of monsoon patterns and market price fluctuations.
The Agrivoltaics Pitch Hub was announced with the theme “Fueling Farm to Fork Innovations”, inviting solutions built around food, fuel and fibre. The National Solar Energy Federation of India will serve as knowledge partner for this initiative.
What this means for you
If you are a small farmer, this scheme offers a way to generate regular income from the same land during both good and poor agricultural seasons. Research is ongoing across different crops and climates to determine the best solar configurations, heights and spacing for your specific farming conditions. The upcoming world conference will bring together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to develop affordable and practical solutions that could reshape how farmers across India and the Global South combine agriculture with renewable energy production.