Rajasthan farmer earns lakhs through agrovoltaic model combining farming and electricity

Kajodmal, a progressive farmer from Kundanpur village in Rajasthan's Jaipur district, has provided an excellent example of increasing income through the integration of agriculture and solar energy. According to a report by 'Aaj Tak', Kajodmal has successfully developed a dual-benefit model by installing solar panels in his field to produce electricity while simultaneously cultivating various crops on the same land. He presented this experience during the 'Double Dhamaka of Food and Energy' session at the 'India Today' India Agriculture Conference 2026.

Kajodmal applied to set up a solar plant in 2019 under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. He owns a total of 8 acres of land. In the initial stages, he had installed solar panels at a low height on the land, but this reduced the cultivable land and had a negative impact on crop productivity. Following this experience, he decided to install the solar panels at a greater height, which provided sufficient space for farming and opened up new possibilities for growing crops.

After adopting this new method, Kajodmal has started farming maize, chillies, and other vegetables. Notably, even during the scorching heat of May-June when temperatures reach up to 45 degrees Celsius, the maize crop in his field performed very well. He stated that the use of drip irrigation and mulching techniques ensured efficient water usage and provided a suitable environment for the crops. Currently, he is growing vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumber, and bottle gourd along with chillies. In the future, he is also considering farming dragon fruit and strawberry.

Speaking about the many advantages of solar panels installed at a height, Kajodmal mentioned that the temperature under the panels remains lower compared to the outside, which provides relief from the heat to the crops in summer. Similarly, in winter, the crops receive a protected and favourable environment. Additionally, since the panels are at a height, the possibility of theft decreases and less dust accumulates on them. He is now preparing to cultivate tomatoes in a more modern way, where tomato vines will be spread at a height using solar panel pillars and bamboo supports. He hopes that this method, combined with mulching, will increase the quality and yield of tomatoes.

Regarding the economic aspects, Kajodmal's solar plant has a capacity of approximately 1 megawatt. As per the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with the electricity distribution company (DISCOM), he receives payment at a rate of ₹3.14 per unit. After paying the instalments of the loan taken from the bank, he saves approximately ₹1.25 lakh per month from the sale of electricity. In this way, he earns about ₹15 lakh annually from electricity. In addition, the income from vegetable farming is separate, which benefits him every three months.

The PM-KUSUM scheme was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. The main objective of this scheme was to help farmers set up solar power plants on their fallow or low-fertility land and to make them self-reliant in the energy sector. Under this scheme, farmers can use electricity according to their needs and earn extra income by selling surplus electricity to the grid, which has proven helpful in strengthening the rural economy.