Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to become the first state in India to introduce a dedicated agrivoltaics policy, with Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo announcing the finalization of the Agri-PV Policy 2026 during the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Thursday.
Speaking to an international gathering of delegates, policymakers, and investors at a ministerial session co-organised with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, IISD, and CEEW, the minister championed the vision of “One Field, Two Harvests,” which aims to seamlessly integrate clean energy generation with agricultural production under the guiding philosophy of prioritising the farmer above all else.
The newly proposed policy targets 1 GW of agrivoltaic capacity across the state by 2030, backed by robust safeguards ensuring that a minimum of 90 per cent of every project site remains under active cultivation without altering the land’s agricultural status or compromising crop insurance eligibility. The framework provides flexible economic pathways for farmers, allowing them to either directly own systems to earn dual incomes from crops and electricity sales or collaborate with developers through guaranteed long-term lease arrangements.
To instil confidence among developers and institutional investors, the state is offering 25-year Power Purchase Agreements through GRIDCO alongside reliable grid connectivity and open-access rights, while streamlining onboarding to couple Agri-PV incentives with crucial support for drip irrigation, solar pumps, cold storage, and agro-processing.
Addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, including rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall projected for the coming decades, the Deputy Chief Minister noted that elevated solar arrays provide a natural shield for smallholder farmers by fostering cooler microclimates, preserving essential soil moisture, and safeguarding both crops and agricultural labourers.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to agrarian advancement, he stressed the goal of empowering farmers through the transition from being solely food providers to energy providers.
Building upon the foundations of Odisha’s Renewable Energy Policy 2022 and the substantial momentum generated by the RE Investor Conclave earlier in February 2026, which attracted 67,000 crore rupees in clean energy commitments across 6.8 GW, practical implementation has already commenced with a 1 MW Agri-PV project and a strategic pilot collaboration with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, an official release added.
