The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) which is an intergovernmental body comprising eight member countries of Hindukush Himalayas, in collaboration with the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), is organising a week-long conference on renewable energy for agriculture. The conference aims to address the challenges in Nepal’s irrigation sector, promote sustainable and inclusive renewable energy solutions, and foster collaboration among ICIMOD’s regional member countries (RMCs) for scaling solar irrigation globally. formulate strategies for sustainable energy transitions in agriculture, thereby contributing to resilience, development goals, and global climate efforts.
In the Energy Week, three conferences at national, regional, and global levels are being organised. Energy Week targets stakeholders ranging from policymakers to practitioners.
Sharing live examples of how solar energy is used by Women entrepreneurs in Nepal to generate employment, Sushma Sharma showcased the application of a solar dryer in Phool Prasad Private Limited which is a women-led enterprise. Similarly, Dr Nitin Goel, CEO of Inficold India Private Limited demonstrated the use of solar energy in running cold storage in 26 states of India as well as serving foreign clients. Professor Abid Halem of Ja mia Millia Islamia shared the relevance of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture.
Sharing India’s success story in transforming agricultural yield and increasing food security through renewables launches, Scientist Jeevan Kumar Jethani from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India said that solarisation of existing diesel and electric pumps is being done along with the use of solar energy during non-agriculture season to aid in other income generating activities.
Through the conference, wider adoption of renewable energy solutions in mountain agriculture is expected to bring food security in the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)