Green Agriculture in India: Harnessing Solar Energy for Sustainable Growth

Agriculture remains a critical component of Indian economy, contributing ~18% to GDP and employing ~56% of the total workforce. However, the sector faces mounting challenges from climate variability, resource overexploitation, and dependence on fossil fuels, leading to increased production costs and environmental stress. In this context, renewable energy particularly solar power, offers a viable pathway for sustainable agricultural transformation, supported by high solar insolation levels (4-7 kWh/m2/day). Solar powered irrigation systems have emerged as a key intervention, reducing reliance on diesel and unreliable grid electricity. Policy initiatives such as PM-KUSUM have accelerated adoption, with over 9.4 lakh standalone solar pumps deployed by December 2025. These systems enhance irrigation reliability, lower operational costs, reduce carbon emissions, and improve productivity in off-grid regions. Furthermore, their integration with micro-irrigation technologies (drip and sprinkler) improves water use efficiency by 30-50%, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The large scale adoption of solar irrigation underscores its role in advancing sustainable agriculture while contributing to national and global climate goals, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7 and SDG 13) and India’s net-zero emission target. Continued deployment, combined with efficient water management strategies, can significantly enhance climate resilience, reduce emissions, and strengthen long-term food and energy security.