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Introduction

Sustainable development continues to be a complex challenge for many nations. With populations growing and natural resources becoming scarce, governments face the difficult task of balancing today’s demands with the needs of tomorrow. Innovative and integrative solutions are no longer optional—they are essential.

Agrivoltaics is one such promising approach. By combining agriculture with solar energy production on the same land, agrivoltaic farming optimises limited land resources while addressing two urgent priorities:

• Strengthening food security

• Generating clean, renewable energy

Beyond these benefits, agrivoltaics also creates opportunities for farmers to increase their income, making sustainability both achievable and economically rewarding.

Rationale

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme, launched in 2019, was a pivotal moment for India’s sustainable agriculture and energy security efforts. By encouraging agrivoltaic farming and agri solar panel integration, the scheme has enabled farmers across multiple states to experiment with dual land use.

Key benefits reported so far include:

• Higher farmer income through land optimisation

• Improved crop yields due to partial shading from solar panels

• Better soil moisture retention and soil quality, especially in arid regions

However, challenges remain. High upfront installation costs for solar infrastructure, maintenance requirements, and safety concerns—such as the risk of electric shocks from exposed wiring—are barriers to adoption. Moreover, crop yield responses vary: while horticultural crops benefit, staple crops like wheat and rice may see reduced productivity under shaded conditions.

These complexities highlight the urgent need for context-specific research on crop suitability and agroecological zoning to ensure equitable adoption across India’s diverse farming landscapes.

This webinar aims to

• Raise awareness about the potential and limitations of agrivoltaic systems

• Share best practices and case studies from India and beyond

• Explore the scalability of agrivoltaic farming in different regions

• Provide a platform for farmers, researchers, and policymakers to exchange insights

Through the #CPPRDialogue, we aim to foster constructive discussions that can shape the future of agrivoltaic adoption in India.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. What is Agrivoltaics, and how does it address both food security and the energy crisis in India?
2. Given India’s diverse geography and economic constraints, is Agrivoltaics a realistic and scalable solution or a utopian concept?
3. How viable and profitable are farmer–developer partnerships under current agrivoltaic models?
4. Can Agrivoltaics be extended to allied sectors such as animal rearing and aquaculture for broader rural development?
5. What is the potential of Agrivoltaics in Kerala, and can it help reverse the state’s declining agricultural growth?

SPEAKERS

Subhodeep Basu

Research Fellow, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)

Subhodeep Basu is a Research Fellow in the Agriculture Policy, Sustainability and Innovation (APSI) vertical of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). He holds an M.Sc. in Economics (Specialisation-Development Studies) from Symbiosis School of Economics, Symbiosis International University, and a B.Sc. in Economics (Hons) from Scottish Church College, University of Calcutta.

Subhodeep has over 5 years of experience in conducting mixed-method research focusing on rural livelihoods. He has also conducted multiple impact evaluation studies for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Prior to ICRIER, he worked with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and with Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF). His areas of interest within the domain of rural livelihoods include farmer collectives, agricultural solarization, and the groundwater economy.

Vimal Panjwani

Founder & CEO, Agri Vijay

Vimal Panjwani is a first-generation entrepreneur and Founder-CEO of AgriVijay, a pioneering AgTech Climate Action Social Enterprise that empowers farmers with renewable energy solutions to boost incomes, achieve energy independence, and build climate resilience. He has over a decade of experience across agribusiness, renewable energy, rural markets, and social impact, having held leadership roles at Sistema.bio, AgriBolo, Ugaoo, ICICI Bank, and others before launching AgriVijay in 2020.

Under his leadership, AgriVijay has delivered thousands of solar-powered pumps, dryers, cold storage units, and other clean energy solutions to farmers across rural and tribal India, partnering with global and national agencies including UNDP India, the Government of Japan, and state governments.

He has been recognised with multiple awards, including the NASSCOM SME Inspire Award 2025, SolarX Challenge India Winner 2024, and FICCI Agri Startup Award 2024. Vimal has represented India on global platforms like the Indiaspora Forum, SolarX Global Accelerator, and LBSNAA. Featured in Forbes India’s Select 200 Companies, he is also acknowledged among the Top 75 Agri Entrepreneurs by the Ministry of Agriculture & NITI Aayog.

MODERATOR

Shobha Vasan

Associate, Research & Projects, CPPR

Shobha Vasan is an economics researcher with a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in agricultural and development economics. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas College, Thrissur.

Shobha has worked as a Research Assistant at ICRIER under Prof. Ashok Gulati, contributing to projects on soil health and biodiversity in agriculture. She also served as a Research Associate at Azim Premji University, where she worked on sustainability frameworks in agriculture, gaining field experience in Chhattisgarh. Her additional experience includes internships at NITI Aayog, the Mann Deshi Foundation, and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration.

Shobha actively contributes to academic and policy discourse through publications and volunteer initiatives. Her areas of interest include agricultural economics, development economics, labour economics, political economy, and public finance.

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