Introduction to PM-KUSUM and Agrivoltaics
The Indian government has announced that the next phase of its flagship PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme will incorporate a dedicated component for agrivoltaics. This development was shared by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, during a curtain‑raiser event for the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 in New Delhi.
What is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics involves the installation of solar panels above agricultural land, allowing farmers to continue cultivation underneath. This innovative approach aims to create an additional and more stable source of income for farmers, whose earnings can be significantly affected by monsoon conditions and fluctuations in crop prices. With agrivoltaics, farmers can potentially earn three streams of income from the same acre: from crops, electricity sold to distribution companies, and savings on diesel.
Focus on Small and Marginal Farmers
The proposed model under PM-KUSUM will focus on supporting small and marginal farmers, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and panchayats. A key feature of this initiative is that the ownership of the land will remain with the farmers. This approach is particularly significant in India, where more than 85% of farmers are small and marginal, cultivating less than two hectares of land.
Implementation and Targets
The PM-KUSUM scheme, launched in 2019, aims to reduce diesel dependence in agriculture, provide energy and water security to farmers, and increase their incomes through decentralized renewable energy. The scheme has three components: setting up decentralized grid‑connected solar plants on farmers' land, installing standalone solar agriculture pumps, and solarising existing grid‑connected agricultural pumps. As of December 2025, the scheme had benefited 21.77 lakh farmers, with 9.75 lakh standalone pumps installed and 12.02 lakh pumps solarised. The overall solar capacity target is 34.8 GW by March 2026, with central financial support of Rs 34,422 crore.
Significance and Future Developments
The inclusion of agrivoltaics in PM‑KUSUM is expected to address land constraints while supporting farm incomes. The government is also pushing research to determine the most suitable combinations of crops, panel height, spacing, and solar configurations for different regions. For instance, a research centre in Pune is currently testing 17 solar configurations across 30 crops.
What to Watch
The implementation of the agrivoltaics component under PM‑KUSUM and its impact on farmers' incomes will be crucial to watch. The government's support for research in agrivoltaics and its potential to stabilise agricultural incomes in the face of climate variability will also be important areas to monitor.