New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday floated a model to install elevated solar panels above crop fields, allowing farmers to become both food and energy producers.
Speaking at the National Agriculture-Renewable Energy Conference 2025 organised by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) in New Delhi, Chouhan said, “Solar panels can be a major source of providing electricity to farmers,” adding that the PM-KUSUM scheme is working to secure energy access for cultivators.
Chouhan suggested that a model combining agriculture with renewable energy—where crops are grown under elevated solar panels—should be explored seriously. “If effective and modern versions of this model are brought forward, the government will certainly support its implementation,” he said.
He released the Federation’s report and annual reference book on agriculture and renewable energy during the event, which aimed to foster dialogue among policymakers, experts, and farmers on integrating clean energy into the agriculture sector.
The minister outlined six current focus areas aimed at improving farmers’ welfare: boosting production, reducing input costs, ensuring fair prices, offering compensation for losses, promoting diversification, and encouraging balanced fertiliser use to protect soil health.
He also stressed the importance of organic farming and sustainable soil practices. “India cannot function without agriculture,” Chouhan said, noting that half of the country’s population still depends on agriculture for employment.
Referring to his ongoing outreach, he said, “A 15-day ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ has been ongoing since May 29. As part of it, I have visited Odisha, Jammu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Patna, and Maharashtra, and I will continue to travel across the country to meet our farmer brothers and sisters.”
Chouhan said agricultural output had risen significantly since 2014-15, with overall production growing by 40 per cent. He pointed out increases in crops such as wheat, rice, maize, and groundnut, while also flagging the need to boost output of pulses and oilseeds.
He concluded by urging for the adoption of integrated farming systems to help Indian agriculture adapt to changing needs.
BI Bureau
