Economy · GS3.3 · 2026-10-23 · 3 min read · 2026-10-23-am
Union Minister launches Khet Bachao Abhiyan and AgriVoltaics Conference
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan to promote balanced fertiliser use and soil health, and inaugurated the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference to integrate solar power with agriculture for farmer income enhancement. These initiatives highlight India's focus on sustainable farming and renewable energy integration, relevant for both Prelims and Mains exams.
The government is promoting sustainable agriculture through the Khet Bachao Abhiyan and boosting farmer incomes by integrating solar energy with farming via AgriVoltaics.
Why is this in the news?
On 21-22 October 2026, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan and inaugurated the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference to promote sustainable agriculture and renewable energy integration.
What is the Khet Bachao Abhiyan and why was it launched?
- Campaign objective. The Khet Bachao Abhiyan is a nationwide public awareness campaign running from 22 October to 30 November 2026 to promote balanced fertiliser use and soil health among farmers.
- Soil health concerns. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan warned that unbalanced use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides harms soil fertility and human health, making soil barren and bodies prone to diseases.
- Key measures for farmers. Farmers are encouraged to use Soil Health Cards to apply fertilisers as per need, adopt crop rotation to improve soil nutrients, and start natural farming on at least half an acre using organic inputs like Beejamrit and Ghanjeevamrit.
- Support for rural poor. The government approved ₹1,343 crore to build 28,422 permanent houses for poor families in Haryana under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.
What is AgriVoltaics and its significance for farmers?
- Concept of AgriVoltaics. AgriVoltaics integrates solar panels above agricultural land, allowing crops to grow beneath while generating electricity, thus using the same land for dual purposes.
- Benefits for small farmers. The policy focuses on benefiting 85% of small and marginal farmers by designing solar installations that do not disrupt farming and allow crop choice and rotation.
- Economic and environmental impact. AgriVoltaics can increase crop yields by 10-20%, generate clean energy to meet India's electricity demand by 2050, and create about 3.32 lakh full-time local jobs, especially for rural youth.
- Government initiatives. The next phase of PM-KUSUM will launch the world's largest AgriVoltaics campaign, with cooperation between Agriculture and New & Renewable Energy Ministries.
How are states contributing to AgriVoltaics deployment?
- State-level policies. States like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar are formulating policies and incentives to promote agrivoltaic projects tailored to local agriculture.
- Infrastructure and training. States are strengthening grid infrastructure, solarising agricultural tubewells, and proposing farmer training through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities.
- Investment and finance. Discussions at the conference included blended finance mechanisms, risk mitigation, and concessional lending to attract private investment in agrivoltaics.
- Farmer rights and land use. Policies ensure farmer land ownership protection, require cultivable land to remain productive, and allow farmers to own or lease land while continuing cultivation.
Key numbers
| Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 85 per cent | Percentage of Indian farmers who are small and marginal farmers targeted by AgriVoltaics policy | |
| ₹1,343 crore | Amount approved for constructing permanent houses for poor families in Haryana under PM Awas Yojana | |
| 3.32 lakh | Estimated full-time local jobs that AgriVoltaics can generate in rural areas |
Back to basics: AgriVoltaics and Balanced Fertiliser Use
AgriVoltaics is a farming model where solar panels are installed above crops, enabling simultaneous energy generation and agriculture on the same land. Balanced fertiliser use involves applying nutrients based on soil health assessments to avoid overuse that harms soil fertility and human health. Both concepts aim to promote sustainable agriculture by increasing farmer incomes and preserving natural resources.
Practice: MCQ, Mains and revision
Prelims MCQ
Consider the following statements about the AgriVoltaics initiative and Khet Bachao Abhiyan: 1. AgriVoltaics allows solar panels to be installed above crops, increasing both energy production and crop yields without disrupting farming. 2. The Khet Bachao Abhiyan promotes indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers to boost crop production. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer and trap
Answer: (a). Statement 2 is incorrect because the Khet Bachao Abhiyan promotes balanced fertiliser use, not indiscriminate application.
Mains question (15 marks)
Examine how the integration of renewable energy with agriculture through AgriVoltaics and campaigns like Khet Bachao Abhiyan contribute to sustainable farming and farmer welfare in India.
Examine: Explain the role of AgriVoltaics and balanced fertiliser use campaigns in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving farmer incomes.
Intro: Introduce the concepts of AgriVoltaics and the Khet Bachao Abhiyan as government initiatives for sustainable agriculture.
- Explain how AgriVoltaics enables dual land use for energy and crop production, benefiting small and marginal farmers.
- Discuss the objectives of Khet Bachao Abhiyan in promoting balanced fertiliser use and soil health to prevent land degradation.
- Highlight state-level efforts and financial mechanisms supporting agrivoltaic deployment and farmer training.
- Analyze the potential impact on rural employment, energy security, and environmental sustainability.
Conclusion: Conclude that these initiatives represent integrated approaches to enhance farmer welfare and sustainable agricultural development.
Previous year question (2017, GS3)
How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?
The news on Khet Bachao Abhiyan and AgriVoltaics relates to how subsidies and new technologies affect cropping patterns, crop diversity, and farmer incomes, which is central to the 2017 question on subsidies and agricultural support mechanisms.
Quick revision
- What is the main goal of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan?
- To promote balanced fertiliser use and protect soil health through a nationwide awareness campaign from 22 October to 30 November 2026.
- How does AgriVoltaics benefit farmers?
- By allowing solar panels above crops, it increases crop yields by 10-20% and generates clean energy, providing additional income without disrupting farming.
- What financial support was announced for poor families in Haryana?
- ₹1,343 crore was approved to construct 28,422 permanent houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.
Sources
- [1] Press Information Bureau: “Solar panels above, thriving crops below”: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurates the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference at Bharat Mandapam · 2026-10-21 · official
- [2] Press Information Bureau: AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 · 2026-10-22 · official
- [3] Press Information Bureau: “Save both people and fields”: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from Taraori in Karnal · 2026-10-22 · official