Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, participated in the National Agro-Renewable Energy Summit 2025 held in New Delhi. The event, organized by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), focused on developing new models that combine agriculture and renewable energy to benefit farmers and promote sustainable farming practices.
At the summit, Shri Chouhan released NSEFI’s report and annual reference book on agriculture and renewable energy. He emphasized the need for collaboration among policymakers, experts, and farmers to successfully integrate renewable energy into agriculture.
Shri Chouhan said, “Our farmers can become not just food providers but also energy providers.” He highlighted that solar energy has great potential to support farmers and protect the environment. The Prime Minister’s PM-KUSUM scheme, which promotes solar energy use in farming, is helping to provide energy security to farmers.
Addressing the audience, Shri Chouhan noted that since Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took office in 2014-15, agricultural production in India has increased by 40%. There has been growth in wheat, rice, maize, and groundnut production, but more focus is needed on pulses and oilseeds. He emphasized that agriculture remains vital for India’s economy, with half of the population depending on it for employment.
Shri Chouhan also shared his ongoing efforts as the Agriculture Minister, including a 15-day campaign called ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ aimed at improving farming across states. He has traveled to Odisha, Jammu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra to meet farmers and understand their needs.
To ensure farmer prosperity, Shri Chouhan outlined six key measures:
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Increase agricultural production
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Reduce the cost of production
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Ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce
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Provide compensation for crop losses
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Promote diversification in farming
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Encourage balanced fertilizer use to maintain soil fertility
He also stressed the importance of organic farming to preserve soil health.
One of the summit’s highlights was the discussion on integrated farming systems. Shri Chouhan explained that these systems allow small and marginal farmers to use their land more efficiently by combining crop cultivation with renewable energy generation. For example, elevated solar panels installed over fields can allow crops to grow underneath while producing electricity. This dual use of land can help farmers become both food and energy providers.
Shri Chouhan urged the government and stakeholders to develop and implement modern models of such integrated farming. He assured that the government would support effective initiatives that benefit farmers and promote sustainability.
Concluding his speech, Shri Chouhan called for a meaningful celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, emphasizing that solar energy could play a major role in protecting the environment for future generations.
