This Jharkhand Village Cut Crop Losses with Solar Tech — Now It’s a Model for 12 Districts

Mohammad Abdul Kalam, a 24-year-old farmer from Latehar district in Jharkhand, recalls a time when preserving his tomato harvest before selling them in the nearby mandi (market) was difficult. He described how his family would spread their tomato harvest under the sun to reduce moisture and increase their shelf life. Fortunately, a few years ago, the local officer from the Directorate of Agriculture (DCO) introduced solar dryers to farmers like Abdul.

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Speaking to The Better India, Abdul recalls, "Before using the solar dryer, most of our tomato harvest would get wasted. But after DCO Sir and DC (Deputy Commissioner) Sir introduced the solar dryer a couple of years ago to farmers like me, we benefited from that and are now growing the crop happily."

Elaborating further, Abdul, who now grows maize, paddy, mustard, and tomatoes on his two-acre farm in Bariyatu block, says, "Initially, the profit (margin) wasn't too high, but the process of learning how to use this new technology has been invaluable. Moreover, over time, we have started making more money, and every season we have used this solar dryer, our crops have become more profitable." 

Farmers like Abdul from coal mining-intensive districts, such as Latehar, are beneficiaries of the Jharkhand State Roadmap for Ecological and Sustainable Energy Transformation (JH-RESET) Project, a Swaniti Initiative-led project supported by the State government that began less than a decade ago. Swaniti Initiative is a non-profit headquartered in Delhi that partners with State governments to improve the delivery of public services.  

Aimed at driving a sustainable energy transition in coal mining-affected districts, this project is helping smallholder farmers in 12 mining districts transition from low-value agriculture to high-value horticulture, addressing their supply chain and market access issues by providing them with access to solar-powered dryers, cold storage units, and pump sets. By deploying solar dryers, for example, tomato farmers in some of the best-performing districts saw a 30-40% rise in their monthly incomes, according to Swaniti. 

Furthermore, the project aims to leverage existing employment exchanges for former mine workers and assist them in finding job opportunities in solar manufacturing and assembly, food processing, eco-tourism, and pisciculture. Given the expected closure of coal mines as governments shift further towards renewable energy.  While the scope of this project has increased tremendously, it owes its origins to more humble circumstances.

In late 2015, parliamentarians from a few coal-mining districts in Jharkhand approached the Swaniti Initiative, a Delhi-based non-profit that partners with State governments to improve public service delivery. The MPs were keen to ensure that their District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds—intended for welfare and development in mining-affected areas—were used in alignment with community needs.

To the uninitiated, the DMFT is a public trust that channels funds towards developmental and welfare schemes in districts impacted by mining activity. The parliamentarians, responding to feedback from local leaders, wanted to deploy these funds more efficiently and with greater accountability.

“After a few initial conversations, we started testing out the waters by walking through district administrations overseeing these DMFT resources,” recalls Rwitwika Bhattacharya, Founder and CEO of Swaniti Initiative, in a conversation with The Better India. “There were some champion bureaucrats at the time who really wanted to deploy their resources in a manner that aligned with the needs of the communities they were serving.”

The journey began with pilot programmes in Ramgarh and Bokaro, districts led by progressive district magistrates B Rajeshwari and Rai Mahimapat Ray (both 2011 batch IAS officers). “They were focussed on figuring out what their communities needed and finding more sustainable economic opportunities for them aligned with India’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). Soon, we deployed our fellows to start working out how DMFT resources could be aligned with the needs of the community,” Rwitwika adds.

These early efforts triggered a broader response. As Swaniti’s fellows embedded themselves within the local administrations, more district officials began to explore how DMFT funds could better serve vulnerable groups, especially informal mining workers. Many administrators started mapping out economic alternatives and sought to unlock public funds to support these pathways.

Over time, Swaniti’s role evolved. What began as an effort to optimise DMFT usage expanded to include convergence with other State and Union government schemes. The focus shifted towards enabling a ‘just transition’—ensuring that communities dependent on fossil fuel economies weren’t left behind in India’s shift to a more sustainable, inclusive future.

Nearly a decade later, those small pilots in Ramgarh and Bokaro laid the foundation for what is now known as the JH-RESET Project — an initiative rooted in systemic reform.

“This was the first time an organisation was working without significant philanthropic support,” says Rwitwika. “The only philanthropic support came for the deployment of Swaniti’s technical team in the field. The funding required to run these programmes for local communities came from government-sponsored schemes. Our task was to help them identify the needs of the community, map out where public funds are needed and mobilise them.”

Speaking to The Better India, Gaurav Bhattacharya, a senior consultant with the Swaniti Initiative, recalls the initial stages of their work in Jharkhand’s coal districts.

“Although we ended up having a presence across all mining districts, in the initial months, our team was actually working on unlocking those funds, which were present at the DMFT-level in Ramgarh and Bokaro districts. The DMFT fund is split between high-priority and non-priority areas. So, our team did a mapping exercise to identify high priority and low priority areas and where there is the highest amount of underutilised funds.”

The mapping exercise revealed a crucial insight: DMFT funds could support smallholder farmers, especially in regions where other public financing remained underutilised. At that time, the Directorate of Horticulture was running promising programmes involving solar-powered cold storages and dryers.

“After our mapping exercise, we found that some of these funds can be tapped for smallholder farmers. At the time, the Directorate of Horticulture was actually leading a lot of programmes on solar-powered cold storages and dryers for farmers. We felt that if we could kind of mobilise this fund, then we would be able to procure these products on behalf of the department and distribute them to farmer producer organisations (FPOs). For the first cycle of procurement, we included a buyback clause, i.e. the vendor selling the equipment is also responsible for buying the first cycle of produce harvested by farmers in these FPOs,” adds Gaurav.

This clause aimed to incentivise the adoption of solar drying technology and ensure early returns for farmers. Starting with Ramgarh and Bokaro, the model soon expanded to Dumka, Chaibasa, Latehar, and Chatra—the latter emerging as the most successful district in mobilising public funds.

While the core implementation of the JH-RESET project took place between 2020 and 2023, its foundation was laid as early as 2018–19. With the introduction of solar dryers alone, Swaniti reports a monthly income increase of ₹3,000–₹4,000 for farmers.

“We mobilised about ₹55 crore from three types of public funds—DMFT, SCF (State Co-operative Federation) and the Aspirational District Programme (ADP). This money was utilised to procure solar-powered cold storage and dryers. There was one cold storage facility distributed for three FPOs, and the solar dryers were allocated to each FPO. We had an active cohort of about 200 farmers, largely involved in growing tomatoes, given that it is the crop with the highest price slippage. With access to a dryer and cold storage, farmers saw the overall annual income of these smallholder farmers,” he says.

Each solar dryer, supplied by vendors, costs approximately ₹18–₹19 lakhs. Distribution took place in three phases, starting with DMFT support, followed by funding from the Directorate of Horticulture and the Aspirational District Programme.

“It took us almost one and a half years from the date of releasing the expression of interest to finding adequate vendors, to changing the RFP policy and then finally doing the demonstration. Although willingness and resources were often available, our program delivery designs tended to be overly complex and to cause delays in funding. The year 2020–21 was spent on getting these dryers and cold storages out, followed by six months of demonstrations from private vendors to FPOs, showing farmers how to use this equipment,” says Gaurav.

As part of the implementation, farmers were trained to use the new technology. Abdul, a 24-year-old farmer from Latehar, recalls, “Initially, we received a few training sessions on how to use the solar dryer and how to cut tomatoes. During the installation phase, they also provided extensive training on each part and how to use it correctly.” Two private vendors were ultimately chosen to supply the solar equipment after a rigorous selection process.

“We designed the technical eligibility criteria to determine which vendors we would use to distribute this solar equipment, which included having experience working with at least 10 FPOs and implementing five social programmes, among others. We started with 11 vendors putting in their bids, but eventually only two were left standing,” says Gaurav.

Beyond tomatoes, lemongrass, oilseed cultivation, and cage-fishing also emerged as valuable income sources for farmers under this model.

Yet, the aim was never just about higher yields. As Rwitwika Bhattacharya clarifies:

“It was to look at bringing in non-polluting solutions to increase the economic value of farmers. Through the entire JH-RESET project, we're working towards the larger goal of just transition for the cohort of these mining workers, SHG workers or agriculture workers whose livelihood, economy and everything depends on mining today. See, these mines will close one day. Some of the mines will get shut down because the government is trying to promote renewable solutions.”

She adds, “What would then happen with these entire sets of workers? Are they skilled enough to take up alternate work? That is why a part of the JH-RESET project is also to train the people on using solar dryers, solar pumps/irrigation systems or become solar entrepreneurs. The base of this programme has always been to increase the economic value of stakeholders like smallholder farmers, but it is built on solutions which come in the renewable area.”

Solar skill building through PM-KUSUM

One of the critical interventions under the JH-RESET project was the introduction of solar-powered pump sets for irrigation. These were implemented under the PM-KUSUM scheme, a Union government initiative that subsidises solar pumps and grid-connected solar power plants for farmers.

(Insert YouTube video showcasing farmer testimonials — start at 6:00)

But the pumps weren't just distributed. Before any installation, the Swaniti Initiative partnered with Birsa Agricultural University in Ranchi and Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs)—government-run extension centres—to conduct field demonstrations through selected vendors.

Designing a grounded training model

As Gaurav Bhattacharya of Swaniti explains:

“We designed the curriculum for this training programme in consultation with agricultural scientists at the university. The demonstrations were done with experts from the KVKs. Few farmers were even brought to the university for some residential training. Given that we are a philanthropic foundation, we could only work on designing the curriculum. It was only KVKs that had the requisite network and resources to implement these training programmes. The university played the role of overseeing this programme.”

These training modules tackled practical questions:

• How to apply for a loan under PM-KUSUM?
  
• What government credits are available for solar pump installation?
  
• How do you operate and maintain the equipment?
  
• What are the short- and long-term benefits?
  
• What safety measures should farmers be aware of?
  

The sessions also included awareness workshops with FPOs, exploring high-value crops and how to integrate solar techniques into practices like millet cultivation.

Expanding reach across districts

“Our interventions were predominantly focused on solar energy, primarily because PM-KUSUM served as the overarching scheme under which these training and skill development activities took place. These sessions initially commenced in the Dumka district and were subsequently extended to nearly all eleven other mining districts. Members of FPOs in each district participated in two rounds of training at their respective KVK centres,” notes Gaurav.

The primary districts involved included Dumka, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Bokaro, and Chatra, with later sessions reaching Palamu, Chaibasa, and Giridih. These efforts spanned from 2020 to 2022.

Bridging awareness and application

Ashok Samrat, District Agriculture Officer, Chatra, reflects on the tangible outcomes:

“In our district, farmers are engaged in the cultivation of tomatoes, cabbage, brinjal, and chillies. In the past, these farmers faced numerous challenges in cultivating these crops. Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, and with assistance from JREDA (Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency), we connected about 300 farmers.”

“Each farmer received a solar pump to irrigate their land thanks to the contributions of the Department of Agriculture, the district administration, and the Swaniti Initiative. Initially, farmers neither had information about the scheme nor knew how to deploy solar pumps. However, farmers attended virtual training sessions organised by the agriculture department, the district administration, and the Swaniti Initiative to better understand the scheme and technology. Thanks to growing awareness of the scheme and technology, 300 farmers applied, and the Department of Agriculture reviewed their applications.”

Within a few months, the solar pumps were installed. The response, according to Ashok, was swift and enthusiastic:

“Now we are seeing that the farmers are very eager and taking advantage of this scheme. Using solar pump sets, farmers are consuming less electricity, saving more energy, and the demand for them is only increasing among other farmers, with queries coming in from different villages.”

The role of green associates in field-level problem solving

Supporting the success of these schemes are the Green Associates—field personnel who facilitate community meetings, coordinate inter-departmental tasks, and resolve beneficiary grievances.

To qualify for the Green Associate role under Swaniti’s framework in Jharkhand, candidates typically need a postgraduate degree (preferably in sustainability, rural development, or environmental science) and 2–3 years of field experience.

Their impact has been notable. As Naman Priyesh Lakra, former Deputy Commissioner of Giridih, shares:

“We were facing issues with some infrastructure with previously installed solar systems. Following the process, we corresponded with various departments regarding its repair. However, the intervention of our Green Associate was such that he helped us identify the exact lacunae and how to rectify them through the nodal person. And to our pleasant surprise, the system got repaired in no time.”

Preparing for a post-coal economy: enabling green employment

While agriculture has been a central pillar of the just transition in Jharkhand, a broader and more urgent challenge lies ahead: creating sustainable employment pathways for coal mine workers. With India’s accelerating shift toward renewable energy, reports suggest that many coal mines will shut down in the coming years. This raises a critical question: What happens to the livelihoods of those working in and around these mines?

Coal mine workers—many of whom are employed as daily wage labourers or contract workers—often lack job security, benefits, and adequate wages. Their economic vulnerability makes it imperative to establish secure, future-ready employment options as mining activity declines.

Fortunately, the green economy holds promise. A 2024 report by Climate Policy Initiative projects that Jharkhand could generate between 81,332 to 137,172 direct and 311,410 to 492,924 indirect green jobs in the coming years. As the report underscores:

“Jharkhand’s heavy reliance on solid fossil fuel mining necessitates a strategic shift to economic diversification and green energy for a sustainable future, thus necessitating a just transition.”

Building the infrastructure for green jobs

Green employment opportunities span a wide range of sectors—from clean power generation to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, green equipment production, and nature-based entrepreneurship. Recognising this, the Swaniti Initiative partnered with the State Department of Employment to conduct extensive consultations with over 50 private companies operating in Jharkhand.

Through these engagements, one clear insight emerged: leveraging and revitalising the state’s employment exchanges at the district level is essential to enabling growth in the green economy.

Insights from the private sector

The Swaniti Initiative's conversations with employers revealed several key findings on how to unlock the potential of green job creation through the state’s employment ecosystem:

• Awareness and Mobilisation:
  Many companies are still unaware of the existence and utility of local employment exchanges. This indicates a pressing need for better outreach and information dissemination.
  
• Outreach and Communication:
  Employment exchanges must proactively engage with employers across India, not just within Jharkhand, to broaden recruitment networks. Strategic collaborations—with local organisations, call centres, and CSR-backed training programs can generate new local employment avenues.
  
• Skill Training and Upskilling:
  Public-private partnerships with training providers, similar to the NSDC model, can strengthen skill development initiatives. The Career Centre should coordinate with the Skill Development Department to connect job seekers with online certification, government schemes, and sector-specific training.
  
• Interdepartmental Coordination:
  Employment exchanges can act as intermediaries to help employers navigate permits, licenses, and access to subsidies by coordinating across government departments—making the process less fragmented.
  
• Database of Informal Workers:
  Establishing a digital registry of informal workers, especially in sectors like waste management, is essential for transitioning them into formal, stable employment.
  

The road ahead

As of 2023–24, the exact number of green jobs created through Jharkhand’s employment exchanges, in partnership with the Swaniti Initiative and other agencies, has not been publicly disclosed. However, green jobs are now being listed on the State's official employment portal—indicating that institutional mechanisms are being put in place.

Despite these early steps, significant work remains. For a state deeply reliant on coal and informal labour, a deliberate and well-resourced strategy is required to ensure that workers aren’t left behind in India’s green transition. The future of Jharkhand’s workforce—and its equitable development—depends on getting this transition right.