India hosts 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference at Bharat Mandapam, first time in the Global South
On 21 October 2026, Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Pralhad Joshi jointly inaugurated the three-day 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the first time the conference is held in the Global South.
Summary
The three-day 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 opened at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 21 October 2026, the first time it is being hosted in the Global South. It was jointly inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi; agrivoltaics means installing solar panels above farmland while crops continue to grow below. Chouhan said agrivoltaic policies must suit small and marginal farmers, who are over 85% of farmers, as the average landholding is only 0.96 hectare. Joshi said India's non-fossil installed power capacity has reached 308.03 GW, over 55% of the total, and announced a major agrivoltaic programme under the next phase of PM-KUSUM.
Key facts
- Event
- 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 (three days)
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Opened
- 21 October 2026
- Significance
- First time hosted in the Global South
- Inaugurated by
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Agriculture) and Pralhad Joshi (MNRE)
- Agrivoltaics
- Solar panels above farmland, crops grow below
- Small & marginal farmers
- More than 85%; average landholding 0.96 ha
- Non-fossil capacity
- 308.03 GW (over 55% of total installed)
- Agri exports
- Record USD 52.55 billion
- Announcement
- Agrivoltaic programme in next phase of PM-KUSUM
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where was the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference inaugurated on 21 October 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
According to MNRE in October 2026, India's non-fossil fuel based installed electricity capacity had reached about how much?
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Correct answer: B — 308.03 GW
Under the next phase of which scheme did the Union Government announce a major agrivoltaic programme at the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026?
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Correct answer: C — PM-KUSUM