German Delegation Visits ICAR–IARI to Strengthen Indo–German Cooperation on AgriPV and Sustainable Farming

1 November 2025, New Delhi

A German delegation led by Mr. Johann Saathoff, Parliamentary State Secretary (Vice Minister), Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany, visited the 100 kW AgriPV Pilot Site at the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, today to explore avenues for strengthening Indo–German collaboration in AgriPV technology, renewable energy integration, and sustainable farming systems.

During the visit, Mr. Saathoff interacted with scientists and students, gaining insights into the operational framework, ongoing research, and future strategies for scaling AgriPV systems across India’s diverse agro-climatic zones. The discussions emphasized collaborative research, technology transfer, and farmer-centric innovations for achieving climate-resilient and energy-efficient agriculture.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR–IARI, presented an overview of the institute’s research programs, innovations, and achievements in promoting clean energy adoption and net-zero emission farming through the integration of Agriculture–Photovoltaic (AgriPV) systems.

Senior representatives from ICAR, NISE, and partner institutions participated in the deliberations, including Dr. D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR; Dr. Mohammad Rehan, Director General, NISE, Gurugram; Dr. C. Viswanathan, Joint Director (Research), ICAR-IARI; Dr. R. N. Padaria, Joint Director (Extension), ICAR-IARI; Dr. D. K. Singh, former Principal Investigator, CoE AgriPV, IARI; and Dr. P. S. Brahmanand, Project Director, Water Technology Centre.

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) on AgriPV, jointly established at ICAR–IARI and the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), has been approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The 100 kW AgriPV pilot project, supported by GIZ India, serves as a model for integrating solar power generation with crop cultivation, thereby enhancing land-use efficiency and farmers’ income.

The delegation was briefed on the implementation progress, key research outcomes, and scaling potential of AgriPV systems for various farming conditions in India. The visit also featured an interactive session fostering dialogue on solar–agriculture integration, data-driven decision-support systems, and climate-smart technologies, further reinforcing Indo–German partnership toward sustainable and resilient agri-energy systems.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)