Profiling the Solar Transition in Odisha’s Agriculture – Adoption Patterns and Socio-Economic Perceptions Among Tribal Farmers
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In the contemporary era, climate change has emerged as a major global concern, with agriculture being a significant contributor due to its heavy reliance on mechanization and fossil fuel consumption. In India, this dependence has led to increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, along with accelerated depletion of natural resources such as water, thereby raising serious concerns about environmental sustainability. In this context, renewable energy-especially solar power-offers a viable pathway toward promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Recognizing its importance, the Government of India has introduced several subsidized programmes to facilitate the adoption of solar energy in agriculture.
This study examines the adoption of solar energy in agricultural production systems, its socio-economic impacts on farming communities, and its overall efficiency and sustainability. Using primary data collected from 502 tribal farm households across five blocks each in Koraput and Nabarangapur districts of Odisha, the study reveals that solar energy plays a significant role in enhancing the socio-economic well-being of farming households. Solar energy is primarily utilized for crop production, irrigation, processing, value addition, and storage. Nearly 99% of the respondents reported a highly positive socio-economic impact, resulting in an average additional annual income of approximately ₹50,000 per household.
Despite these benefits, several operational challenges were identified, including low voltage supply, pump set inefficiencies, damage caused by wild animals, and the lack of locally available maintenance and repair services. Addressing these constraints, the study proposes key policy recommendations, including the development of localized maintenance ecosystems, enhanced subsidy support, promotion of group-based solar models, and provision of training and exposure programmes for farmers to ensure effective adoption and long-term sustainability of solar energy in agriculture.
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