Solar energy can not only solve the problem of electricity deficit but also help increase farmers’ income in a State like Jharkhand, experts concluded at the workshop organised by Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) on Friday in association with ASAR Social Impact and Climate Trends.
The aim of the workshop was to highlight the true potential of solar energy to set the energy transition in agriculture sector in Jharkhand. The agriculture sector in Jharkhand has recorded an impressive annual growth of more than 8 per cent for past one decade. This has been because of change in composition of high valued crops, largely in vegetables and fruits.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CEED Ramapati Kumar, highlighted that the present agrarian crisis is a great threat to the Indian Economy and we must work together to bring agriculture sector out of difficult situation. “Unreliable and unorganised electricity sector for agriculture is a real threat to development of farmers and the agriculture sector overall. Changing weather patterns and depleting water supplies also add to this problem. Jharkhand with small landholding and high focus on horticulture must adopt a sustainable and reliable energy pathway for agriculture sector to support its electricity need,” he added.
“Government of Jharkhand must work and devise a plan for a complete energy transition for agriculture sector and consider solar energy as mainstay of improving the farming sector and doubling the income of farmers. If planned well, all of power need for agriculture sector in Jharkhand can be met by renewable energy”, said Kumar
Informing about the State government’s stand on the issue Project Director of Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Authority, Arvind Kumar, highlighted the various efforts of government to promote renewable energy in the agriculture sector.
Speaking on the occasion Senior Researcher from ASAR social Impact, Abhishek Pratap, said that ground water based irrigation has critical role in ensuring food security and agriculture based livelihood. “Electricity supply for food production and agriculture sector needs to be addressed in integrated approach covering all aspect of electricity supply in rural areas. KUSUM, solar power scheme for agriculture sector, not only offers integrated approach in generation and supply of electricity but also provides reliability, production control, and secondary source of income to the farmers by way of feeding excess electricity back into the grid. Electricity distribution companies also stand to gain from this scheme as the load to provide subsidised electricity to farmers will reduce.” added Pratap.