Agri-Renewable Energy Helping Farmers Access Reliable Power, Increase Productivity and Reduce Irrigation Costs: Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi

1. At a Glance

Agri-Renewable Energy (Agri-RE) = decentralised RE solutions deployed in farms, rooftops, and rural enterprises (solar pumps, agrivoltaics, biomass) to provide reliable power, raise farm income, and cut irrigation costs [S1][S2].
Anchor scheme: PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan), now being upgraded to PM-KUSUM 2.0 with a dedicated Agri-PV (agrivoltaics) component [S1][S2].
Strategic linkage: critical lever to meet India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 commitment [S1][S2].

2. Why in the News

10 March 2026: Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi addressed the 4th National Agro-RE Summit, New Delhi, announcing preparation of PM-KUSUM 2.0 with a dedicated Agri-PV component [S1].
MoS Shripad Yesso Naik flagged agrivoltaics as transformative for agriculture and clean energy [S1].
Government data shared: >10 lakh standalone solar pumps installed and 13 lakh grid-connected pumps solarised under PM-KUSUM [S1].

3. Background & Evolution

2019: PM-KUSUM launched by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) to de-dieselise the farm sector and provide water/energy security [S2].
2020: Scheme scope expanded by MNRE to enable greater solar generation in farm sector [S2].
Target horizon extended to March 2026: cumulative solar capacity addition target of 34,800 MW with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of ₹34,422 crore [S2].
2026: PM-KUSUM 2.0 being formulated with a 10 GW Agri-PV dedicated component [S1].

4. Core Static Facts

Implementing Ministry: Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) [S2].
Scheme structure (3 components) [S2]:
Component-A: 10,000 MW decentralised ground/stilt-mounted grid-connected solar plants (≤2 MW each) on barren/agri land.
Component-B: 14 lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps (off-grid).
Component-C: Solarisation of 35 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps (incl. Feeder Level Solarisation).
Subsidy structure: Up to 30% CFA (general) and 50% in NE/Hilly/Island States for Components B & C; pump capacity covered up to 15 HP for individual farmers in special category states [S2].
Total non-fossil installed capacity: 283.46 GW as on 31.03.2026 [S1].
National target: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 (Panchamrit commitment, COP26) [S1].
Cumulative RE under PM-KUSUM: 7,672.35 MW added in FY 2025-26; cumulative installed 13,111.87 MW [S1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Reduces irrigation cost by displacing diesel pumps; PM-KUSUM data shows annual diesel savings of 143 million litres in earlier phases [S3]. - Agrivoltaics can raise per-acre income from ~₹60,000 to >₹1 lakh when crop + electricity sale combined [S1]. - Excess solar generation sold to DISCOMs under Component-B/C, creating second income stream ("Annadata to Urjadata") [S2].

Environmental - Earlier PM-KUSUM tranche cut 0.67 million tonnes CO₂ annually [S3]. - De-dieselisation aligns with India's NDC and Net-Zero by 2070 pledge [S1]. - Agrivoltaics improves land-use efficiency — addresses competing demand between food and energy [S1].

Administrative / Federal - Implemented via State Nodal Agencies + DISCOMs; Parliamentary Estimates Committee reviewed PM-KUSUM at Issapur (Delhi) agrivoltaics site [S4]. - UP committed to 22 GW solar capacity target in joint MNRE-State review [S5].

Scientific / Technological - Allows solar PV up to 2× pump capacity (kW) under Component-B; supports agrivoltaic co-location (panels elevated over crops) [S2][S1]. - India targeting Swadeshi solar cells by 2028, moving to indigenous wafers and ingots [S6].

Social - Targets small/marginal farmers; cluster/community irrigation models in high water-table areas [S2]. - Mitigates rural power-shortage burden disproportionately borne by farmers.

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

10 Mar 2026: 4th National Agro-RE Summit; announcement of PM-KUSUM 2.0 with Agri-PV [S1].
FY 2025-26: 13.94 lakh pumps installed/solarised cumulatively; 7,672.35 MW added in the year [S1].
31 Mar 2026: Non-fossil capacity reached 283.46 GW [S1].
India ranked 3rd globally in RE installed capacity [S7].
Parliamentary Estimates Committee site visit to Issapur agrivoltaics plant, Delhi [S4].

7. Prelims Hooks

PM-KUSUM launched in 2019 by MNRE (not Ministry of Agriculture) [S2].
PM-KUSUM has three components — A, B, C [S2].
Component-B = standalone solar pumps; Component-C = solarisation of grid-connected pumps [S2].
Component-A plant size capped at 2 MW [S2].
Solar PV up to twice the pump capacity (kW) permitted [S2].
CFA: 30% general / 50% in NE-Hilly-Island States [S2].
Total scheme outlay (revised): ₹34,422 crore; target 34,800 MW by March 2026 [S2].
Eligible pump size: up to 15 HP for individual farmers in special-category states [S2].
PM-KUSUM 2.0 to include dedicated Agri-PV (agrivoltaics) component [S1].
India's non-fossil installed capacity = 283.46 GW (31.03.2026) [S1].
500 GW non-fossil target year = 2030 (Panchamrit, COP26) [S1].
Under PM-KUSUM: >10 lakh standalone + 13 lakh grid-connected pumps solarised [S1].
Union MNRE Minister: Shri Pralhad Joshi; MoS: Shripad Yesso Naik [S1].
4th National Agro-RE Summit held in New Delhi, March 2026 [S1].

8. Mains Relevance

GS-III: Indian Economy → Infrastructure (Energy); Agriculture; Environment & Climate Change.
GS-II: Government Policies & Interventions (welfare schemes).
Syllabus headings: "Infrastructure: Energy", "Major crops, cropping patterns; e-technology in aid of farmers", "Conservation, environmental pollution".
Question stems: 1. "Examine how decentralised renewable energy can transform Indian agriculture. Critically assess PM-KUSUM in this context." (250 words, GS-III) 2. "Agrivoltaics offers a dual solution to India's food and energy security challenges. Discuss." (150 words) 3. "The transition from Annadata to Urjadata is contingent on resolving structural bottlenecks in DISCOMs. Comment." (250 words)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana — rooftop solar counterpart for households [S4].
National Green Hydrogen Mission — adjacent clean-energy pillar.
Panchamrit commitments (COP26, Glasgow) — origin of 500 GW target.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for Solar PV Modules — domestic manufacturing leg [S6].
DISCOM reforms (RDSS) — critical for Component-C feeder solarisation viability.
Micro-irrigation (PMKSY) — complements solar pump efficiency.
International Solar Alliance (ISA) — multilateral platform.
Agroforestry & Climate-Smart Agriculture — environmental linkages.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

PM-KUSUM is under MNRE, NOT Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare [S2].
Component-A is decentralised ≤2 MW plants — not utility-scale solar parks; do not confuse with Ultra Mega Solar Parks.
500 GW target = non-fossil (RE + nuclear + large hydro), not "solar only" or "RE only".
PM-KUSUM target year revised to March 2026 (originally 2022) — capacity target now 34,800 MW [S2].
"Agrivoltaics" ≠ rooftop solar; it is co-location of PV with crops on the same land [S1].
PM-KUSUM 2.0 is in preparation stage (announced March 2026) — not yet launched [S1].

11. Sources

[S1] Agri-Renewable Energy Helping Farmers… Union Minister Pralhad Joshi — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2237890 — (tier 1)
[S2] PM-KUSUM Scheme page — https://mnre.gov.in/en/pradhan-mantri-kisan-urja-suraksha-evam-utthaan-mahabhiyaan-pm-kusum/ — (tier 1)
[S3] PM-KUSUM grid-connected progress (R.K. Singh) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1907703 — (tier 1)
[S4] Parliamentary Estimates Committee at Issapur Agrivoltaics — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2120941 — (tier 1)
[S5] Joshi-Yogi UP review, 22 GW solar — https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2120759 — (tier 1)
[S6] Swadeshi Solar Cells by 2028 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2165645 — (tier 1)
[S7] India 3rd globally in RE installed capacity — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2250039 — (tier 1)