30^th July 2024, Guwahati

ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone VI, Guwahati, and ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nalbari, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, in collaboration with Assam State Designated Agency, under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, organized a State Level Capacity Building Workshop on ‘Agrivoltaics to Harness Green Energy for Sustainable Agricultural Production’ today, at the NEDFi Convention Centre auditorium, Guwahati, to create awareness on the use of green energy in agriculture for food, nutrition, and environmental security.

The Chief Guest, Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah, Former Vice-Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat,  highlighted the scope to increase agricultural productivity and profitability in Assam through the use of agrivoltaics, especially aquavoltaics, which reduces land use for panel installation.

Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI, Guwahati, accentuated the importance of green energy in agriculture and allied sectors, with special reference to agrivoltaics. 

Mr. Bibhu Bhuyan, MD, Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited, emphasized the role and potential of different stakeholders for maximum utilization of the Agrivoltaics

Shri. Loken Das, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Guwahati, briefed about the role of financial organizations, especially NBARD, and the integration of various institutions for harnessing renewable energy sources.

The workshop discussed energy requirements and future demand in Assam, focusing on developing a roadmap and strategies to reduce conventional energy consumption and replace it with renewable energy in agri-allied sectors by 2047, in line with the Vision Viksit Bharat@2047 initiative.

Dr. P. Murgesan, Director, National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Guwahati, Shri. M. I. Meiti, Advisor, North Eastern Council, Shillong, Dr. V. K. Gupta, Director, ICAR-NRC on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, officials from ASDA, BEE, Ministry of Power, Director & Heads from the nearby institutes, Researchers from IIT, Guwahati, Tezpur University, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras officials, ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI, Guwahati Scientists & staffs and more than 50 farmers from the nearby district attended the programme.

A Farmer - Scientists interaction was also organized for wider sensitization on green energy and Agrivoltaics for profitable agriculture.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone VI, Guwahati)