Solar irrigation pumps have received significant attention in India over the past decade where they are perceived as a more affordable, reliable and climate-smart alternative to conventional diesel pumps. However, there are concerns that efforts to increase uptake are not sufficiently \u2018pro-poor\u2019 and instead favor well-connected farmers with the means to invest in this technology. There are also fears that widening access without also considering the efficient management of water resources could exacerbate over-pumping and groundwater depletion. Decision makers need to strike a delicate balance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the help of CGIAR partners \u2013 the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Program<\/a> and CCAFS<\/a> \u2013 WLE researchers developed and refined farmer-centric business models over several years that both incentivize efficient water use and enhance smallholder access to the benefits of solar-powered irrigation. The models are tailored to two main contexts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first targets grid-connected water-scarce areas<\/a> with rampant groundwater depletion where high power subsidies have encouraged farmers to over-pump. In these areas farmers are encouraged to pool the surplus energy they have generated and sell it back to the grid. The second is applied in off-grid areas of relative water abundance<\/a> where farmers with solar pumps, through a village-level informal water market, can sell surplus irrigation water to neighboring farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n