BIJOY GHOSH -https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/how-these-solar-didis-played-a-key-role-in-promoting-a-circular-economy-in-agriculture/article69085522.ece
Media Source: The Hindu Business Line (India)
Date: 16 January 2025
In 2023, Devki Devi and Sunita Devi became pioneers of solar-powered irrigation, transforming their lives and gaining recognition as “Solar Didis” (meaning “sisters”) in their villages. These women entrepreneurs use solar irrigation pumps to assist small-scale farmers water their fields. This initiative marks a significant step in India’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, addressing key challenges such as climate change, rural income stagnation, and farm productivity. The programme also empowers women in rural India, contributing to economic growth and gender equality. The Solar Didi programme, part of the Jeevika Self-Help Group in Bihar, now includes 106 women. According to Mukesh Chandra of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), solar irrigation provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to diesel-based systems, improving crop yields and quality.
