Mapping Policy for Solar Irrigation Across the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in India

This research paper maps the policy landscape for off-grid solar irrigation in India, highlighting that a lack of coordination across the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus can undermine policy effectiveness. It specifically examines policies at the central level and in Bihar and Rajasthan, recommending that the PM-KUSUM scheme be carefully monitored and integrated with sustainable groundwater management to avoid negative environmental impacts while leveraging benefits like reduced electricity subsidies and increased farmer income.

• The research indicates that many of India's central and state policies, including those promoting off-grid solar pumps, fail to explicitly account for the complex interactions within the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus, which can limit their effectiveness or undermine goals in other sectors.
• The paper recommends that policies for off-grid pumps be coordinated with increased efforts to ensure the sustainable use of groundwater in India and suggests rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the government's PM-KUSUM solar pumps scheme.
• Solar-powered irrigation under the PM-KUSUM scheme has the potential to reduce agricultural electricity subsidies, increase farmer incomes, create employment, and provide reliable electricity during the day.
• The document maps policies at the Central Government level and specifically within the states of Bihar and Rajasthan to assist researchers and policy-makers in promoting off-grid solar-powered pumps for groundwater irrigation.

APA

Murali,, C. B. G. R. B. J. G. (2019). Mapping Policy for Solar Irrigation Across the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in India. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/solar-irrigation-wef-nexus-india

Chicago

Murali,, Christopher Beaton,Vibhuti Garg,Dimple Roy,Andrea Bassi,Purva Jain,Mini Govindan,Rashmi. Mapping Policy for Solar Irrigation Across the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in India. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2019. https://www.iisd.org/publications/solar-irrigation-wef-nexus-india.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Murali, |first1=Christopher Beaton,Vibhuti Garg,Dimple Roy,Andrea Bassi,Purva Jain,Mini Govindan,Rashmi |title=Mapping Policy for Solar Irrigation Across the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in India |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=6 August 2019 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/solar-irrigation-wef-nexus-india |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{murali2019mapping, author = {Murali,, Christopher Beaton,Vibhuti Garg,Dimple Roy,Andrea Bassi,Purva Jain,Mini Govindan,Rashmi}, title = {{Mapping Policy for Solar Irrigation Across the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in India}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2019}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/solar-irrigation-wef-nexus-india}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }