Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!š Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. SHOPIAN: A Capacity Building Workshop on Agrivoltaics for Farmers, aimed at promoting the integration of solar energy with agriculture for a climate-resilient and sustainable future, was held today at the Conference Hall of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Shopian.
The workshop was organized by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) in collaboration with KVK Shopian. Prof. Rahiana Habib Kant, Director Extension, SKUAST-Kashmir, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The programme was attended by Prof. Zafar Afroz Badri, Head, KVK Shopian; scientists from KVK Shopian; Saptak Ghosh, Sector Head, Renewables & Energy Conservation, CSTEP; Poorna and Nihar from Samunnati; besides progressive and champion farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Self-Help Group (SHG) members from across Shopian district.
In his welcome address, Prof. Zafar Afroz Badri highlighted the mandate of KVKs in strengthening research-extension-farmer linkages and emphasized the institution's role in technology dissemination, farmer capacity building and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. He also highlighted the achievements of KVK Shopian in taking innovative technologies and knowledge to the farming community.
Sheikh Madiha Syed, who leads CSTEP's initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, delivered a detailed presentation on the concept and potential of agrivoltaics, with particular emphasis on its application in high-density apple orchards. She explained how the integration of solar energy generation with agricultural activities can provide additional benefits to farmers while contributing to climate resilience and sustainable farm management.
Saptak Ghosh elaborated on the techno-economic aspects of agrivoltaic systems and highlighted the potential of integrating value-added agricultural chains and cold-storage facilities with solar energy systems. He explained how such integration could help reduce energy costs, improve post-harvest management and strengthen the overall economic viability of the technology.
Poorna highlighted the important role of FPOs and SHGs in facilitating the adoption of agrivoltaic technologies and developing a supportive ecosystem for their implementation across Jammu and Kashmir. She emphasized the potential for collective approaches to improve access to technology, finance, infrastructure and markets.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Rahiana Habib Kant appreciated the efforts of KVK Shopian in organizing collaborative programmes focused on emerging technologies and innovative approaches for the benefit of farmers. She underscored the importance of introducing practical, sustainable and economically viable solutions to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector.
The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion involving farmers and other stakeholders, during which valuable suggestions and recommendations were shared. The programme reaffirmed the commitment of the participating institutions and stakeholders to promoting innovative, climate-resilient and profitable agriculture through knowledge dissemination, technological interventions and strengthened farmer-institution linkages.
