The Promise of FPO-led Agrivoltaics for India’s Rural Economy

Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) have emerged as a critical pillar in India’s efforts to empower small and marginal farmers through collective enterprise. Recognising their potential, the Government of India launched the central sector scheme ‘Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations’ in 2020 to institutionalise and strengthen farmer collectives nationwide. In early 2025, the scheme achieved this target, marking a significant milestone in scaling up organised farming enterprises across the country.

More recently, at BIOFACH 2026—the world’s leading exhibition for organic products—held in February in Nuremberg, Germany, FPOS were a part of the Indian pavilion that hosted 67 co-exhibitors, which reflects their increasing participation in the area.

India has accorded a vital role to agrivoltaics in its clean energy transition efforts. At a high-level stakeholder consultation held in September 2025 to reflect on the future of PM KUSUM 2.0, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) proposed the National Agriphotovoltaics Mission, which is likely to be launched later this year. This presents an opportune time for FPOs to leverage the potential of agrivoltaics and build a community-led, green, and robust rural economy for India.