Vimal Panjwani
Renewable energy in modern agriculture
Vimal Panjwani, Founder & CEO, AgriVijay, Pune, Maharashtra, explains how modern agriculture is transforming with the adoption of renewable energy sources. By integrating solar, wind, and bioenergy systems, farms can operate more efficiently and sustainably. This transition not only minimises environmental impact but also enhances energy security. Renewable energy is therefore shaping a more sustainable agricultural landscape.
Renewable energy is beneficial for farmers to save money on their activities. AgriVijay offers services like biogas and solar energy products to make the farmers independent energy producers and consumers, and also help in a cleaner environment. We educate the women in the villages on the benefits of using solar energy for their cooking purposes. We have brought all the renewable energy products on a single platform, and we recommend the right product for the farmers, as not all products can be used by all farmers. We recommend the right renewable energy product and solution for the farmers based on their activities.
Agri Vijay is a platform where we discuss the energy requirements of the farmer with the sales team and a franchisee called Renewable Energy Stores. The farmers can also come here to discuss the energy needs of the rural areas. We offer them a solution that suits the lifestyle of the farmer, increases the savings, and becomes energy independent when a biogas digester, a solar water pump, or a solar inverter is installed. We have an online platform, sales team, and call centres in Maharashtra and Rajasthan to take care of the needs of the farmers. We can help the environment reduce carbon emissions.
Solar-powered farm tools
To talk about a few machines that help in renewable energy, the Toyota Biogas Generator is one such, which runs on biogas fully produced from cow dung. The biogas generates electricity and organic fertiliser in the dairy farm. The Biogas Power Generation Project is the first of its kind to demonstrate a fully functional power generation from biogas using state-of-the-art power generators. We want to reduce the import of crude oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase renewable energy. Aisin Biogas power generator system helps in generating electricity, organic fertiliser, and organic waste throughout the year, irrespective of the season. The collected cow dung from the local dairy farm is transported to the mixing chamber, where the powder is mixed with equal quantities of water in a 1:1 ratio. The substrate is mixed thoroughly to ensure high-quality fermentation inside the biodigester and to avoid lumping. Unwanted substances like straws are removed from the substrate and then let into the inlet chamber, where anaerobic fermentation happens to release biogas. Based on the waste type and quantity, the product can be selected.
The other side of the digester is the sludge chamber, where the liquid slurry comes out of the digester after fermentation. The biogas in the top dome is removed periodically with moisture traps. The biogas flows into the main distribution header through two separate pipelines – one for electricity generation and one for cooking purposes. The pipeline carrying biogas for electrification purposes flows through a desulfuriser to remove sulphur that is present in the form of hydrogen sulphide before being sent to the Aisin biogas generator. These generators are built using Japanese technology and can operate throughout the week, generating continuous electricity and sending it to dairy farmers for their requirements. A control room is set up to monitor and assess various technical parameters critical for the process. The flexible biogas digester is made up of a PVC membrane, which is a 1000 GSM or 1100 GSM, as it is flexible, portable, and repairable. We can easily shift it and reinstall it in the place of our choice. With Swedish technology, we can generate more biogas, and cow dung, water, any kind of waste, poultry, or organic waste can be used. It has a lifespan of 35 years, and it is a profitable investment as we can get the return on investment within 3 years, depending on the number of cattle, the quantity of dung, and the kind of energy we need. We also have steel biogas digesters where the waste is in tons. WE have a few types in this. Lexidome concrete is old, the second one is an iron tank and steel digester, which can be used if we have a lot of animal and organic waste. We can opt for a flexible digester for more benefits.
The renewable energy products will help us make our organic liquid fertiliser, which we can use directly in the field using a biogas slurry pump, which is different from the normal pumps. This is because the slurry has a lot of particles that cannot be easily removed. The slurry pumps come with Japanese technology that can put the slurry directly into the field. Mahindra has come up with a 100% biogas generator that can generate electricity for all requirements. We can also reduce the electricity charges. We should learn to use solar power to be energy independent and save money.
Off-grid solar inverters are for smaller places like households and farms with a charging facility using solar power. A grid system is for people whose electricity bills are high. Solar off-grid is for backup, and solar on-grid is to increase the savings by reducing the electricity bill. We can help you buy one from the best dealer. The major cost in a solar water heater is the very delicate glass rods. Vari is a good brand with a five-year warranty on solar water heaters. A galvanised iron solar water heater is better than a normal one. We have solar cold storage too, where FPOs or farmers can store their produce. It is movable. This will increase the shelf life of the products. We have small solar cold storage and big ones from companies like EcoZim. Solar water pumps from 1 HP to 25 HP are available. We can try AC pumps as they need less maintenance, are durable, low on cost, and high on return on investment. When choosing a solar water pump, we should not buy panels. They should come with a warranty of at least 5 years. A panel of any company is ok. With good company, we can replace the panels if they are not working properly.
Energy-efficient farm equipment
We are also coming up with eTractor, which can run on a single charge for about 75 kilometres. They do not have any maintenance as they run on lithium-ion batteries that can be charged easily with the help of solar power. There are only two branded companies that manufacture them. These products will improve the savings right from the second day of usage. We can be prepared for any emergency, like the pandemic we witnessed. Delivery time is about 10 months. We need to pay Rs. 10000 as an advance payment. They are like any other tractor. We have to charge it, and it runs for 75 kilometres. The price is approximately Rs. 5 lakhs with around 18 to 24 HP. We have more than 20 companies and 100 FPOs on our platform. We have two brands now, Celestial Mobility and Sonalika Tractors. We also have solar water pumps, the AC ones, which need less maintenance, are high on return on investment, and have a warranty of 5 years. We have many options with a warranty and special features. When we are using a 10 HP pump to run a 900 or 1000-foot borewell, we have to put a 12.5 or 16-HP solar water pump to cover the energy deficit. We take up the installation. From our online franchises, people can go and choose the products. We are currently operating in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and soon we will start in Karnataka and Hyderabad. People can become energy independent even if their households have subsidised biogas systems, MNRE subsidies. Solid liquid separators for biogas slurry are for people who want vermicompost raw material to use in compost beds.
About steel digesters, in a poultry farm with lots of poultry waste, separation and segmentation will be done by the company itself. We have to ensure that the poultry waste is treated. It is good for animal waste in various ways. We can use the waste to produce biogas. We can use it in a dairy farm to make many value-added products. We can reduce the LPG cost.
People also want to get biomass pellets, which can be made from dry cow dung by separating the liquid and solid, using the liquid to nourish the soil. People can discuss with Agri Vijay about their energy needs, and we can recommend the right solutions for them. The biogas slurry can be transported from the digester tank to the farms. This can be a good supplement to NPK and improve soil fertility.
Trusted energy partners
We are associated with solar water pump companies that give good products and services. Our partners include Toyota, Vari, Swatch Gas, FOV Biogas, Kirloskar, and so on. We have collaborated with 6 biogas Genset companies, of which 2 or 3 offer good returns and yield, such as Toyota and Mahindra. Aisin is a less expensive one. We suggest going for the Prakash genset when we have a low budget, or a Toyota or Mahindra. By using cow dung, which is always available, it is good for everyone to save money, become energy independent, save the environment, and help the future generation.
Survey-based recommendations
For a 5 acre farm, we can have a 3 to 5 HP solar water pump for 2.8 lakhs, 1 kilowatt solar inverter at Rs. 70000, a small biogas digester for 4 to 5 cattle at Rs. 45 thousand, so a total of Rs. 5 lakhs investment on a 5 acre will make a farmer completely renewable energy farmer, using solar water pump for irrigation, generating electricity for a small home with 1 KW solar inverter, producing biogas, having fuel for cooking. He will be a solar-independent farmer with Rs. 5 lakhs. He can expect a return on investment in 3 years. Maintenance cost is almost negligible when we buy a good quality product, as it comes with a warranty. People should do a good study and research before buying the products. The Government of India has a project called Kusum Yojana, which is for subsidised solar water pumps in Rajasthan and many other states in India. Out of the 7 solar water pump companies on our platform, three are MNRE-approved. The farmer can get the bill, produce it for the department to get a subsidy. Subsidy is not on our side. We can only give a product warranty and bill with a GST number to get the subsidy. The cost varies from waste to waste and need. Biogas is a product like LPG, and the requirement should be considered to fix one. Rajasthan gives a subsidy for solar water pumps for two projects. Each region has a different policy, and we have to reach the local bodies or panchayat level, or district level NHV bodies.
Jodhpur area will be inclined towards solar energy, where there are 4 to 5 cattle, and a solar inverter, a solar water pump, and a biogas digester will be of help to them. We have a range of solar water pumps. We will take a complete survey of the place and recommend accordingly. When we use a 5 HP normal pump, we need a 7.5 HP solar water pump to match the performance. Based on the requirements, we provide the quote as requested by the banks for assistance, and biogas is a component of the dairy farm project. Our quote will be part of a dairy farm project profitable to be submitted to the bank for assistance. We do complete delivery and installation. We have controllers, hybrid in nature. They run in the daytime on solar power and at night on electricity.
Success with solar
Mr. Gangaram Kumawat, a vegetable farmer in Ajmer, who was spending his entire earnings towards fuel cost, took the help of Agri Vijay, switched over to using a solar water pump, and he could increase his earnings greatly. Mr Rakan Lal is another farmer who uses a solar inverter for his dairy business and has reduced electricity costs greatly. We have mixed farmers who have become energy independent. They grow vegetables, wheat, bajra, and cumin. They can recover the cost within 10 months after purchase. We are supported by Niti Aayog Water Renovation Mission, the Ministry of Agriculture, ISO, and MNRE. We have won many awards, too.
Contact details
Vimal Panjwani
Founder & CEO, AgriVijay, Pune, Maharashtra
Mobile: 9571653597 and 9503130037
Email: vpanjwani@agrivijay.com
Renewable energy in modern agriculture
Vimal Panjwani, Founder & CEO, AgriVijay, Pune, Maharashtra, explains how modern agriculture is transforming with the adoption of renewable energy sources. By integrating solar, wind, and bioenergy systems, farms can operate more efficiently and sustainably. This transition not only minimises environmental impact but also enhances energy security. Renewable energy is therefore shaping a more sustainable agricultural landscape.
Renewable energy is beneficial for farmers to save money on their activities. AgriVijay offers services like biogas and solar energy products to make the farmers independent energy producers and consumers, and also help in a cleaner environment. We educate the women in the villages on the benefits of using solar energy for their cooking purposes. We have brought all the renewable energy products on a single platform, and we recommend the right product for the farmers, as not all products can be used by all farmers. We recommend the right renewable energy product and solution for the farmers based on their activities.
Agri Vijay is a platform where we discuss the energy requirements of the farmer with the sales team and a franchisee called Renewable Energy Stores. The farmers can also come here to discuss the energy needs of the rural areas. We offer them a solution that suits the lifestyle of the farmer, increases the savings, and becomes energy independent when a biogas digester, a solar water pump, or a solar inverter is installed. We have an online platform, sales team, and call centres in Maharashtra and Rajasthan to take care of the needs of the farmers. We can help the environment reduce carbon emissions.
Solar-powered farm tools
To talk about a few machines that help in renewable energy, the Toyota Biogas Generator is one such, which runs on biogas fully produced from cow dung. The biogas generates electricity and organic fertiliser in the dairy farm. The Biogas Power Generation Project is the first of its kind to demonstrate a fully functional power generation from biogas using state-of-the-art power generators. We want to reduce the import of crude oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase renewable energy. Aisin Biogas power generator system helps in generating electricity, organic fertiliser, and organic waste throughout the year, irrespective of the season. The collected cow dung from the local dairy farm is transported to the mixing chamber, where the powder is mixed with equal quantities of water in a 1:1 ratio. The substrate is mixed thoroughly to ensure high-quality fermentation inside the biodigester and to avoid lumping. Unwanted substances like straws are removed from the substrate and then let into the inlet chamber, where anaerobic fermentation happens to release biogas. Based on the waste type and quantity, the product can be selected.
The other side of the digester is the sludge chamber, where the liquid slurry comes out of the digester after fermentation. The biogas in the top dome is removed periodically with moisture traps. The biogas flows into the main distribution header through two separate pipelines – one for electricity generation and one for cooking purposes. The pipeline carrying biogas for electrification purposes flows through a desulfuriser to remove sulphur that is present in the form of hydrogen sulphide before being sent to the Aisin biogas generator. These generators are built using Japanese technology and can operate throughout the week, generating continuous electricity and sending it to dairy farmers for their requirements. A control room is set up to monitor and assess various technical parameters critical for the process. The flexible biogas digester is made up of a PVC membrane, which is a 1000 GSM or 1100 GSM, as it is flexible, portable, and repairable. We can easily shift it and reinstall it in the place of our choice. With Swedish technology, we can generate more biogas, and cow dung, water, any kind of waste, poultry, or organic waste can be used. It has a lifespan of 35 years, and it is a profitable investment as we can get the return on investment within 3 years, depending on the number of cattle, the quantity of dung, and the kind of energy we need. We also have steel biogas digesters where the waste is in tons. WE have a few types in this. Lexidome concrete is old, the second one is an iron tank and steel digester, which can be used if we have a lot of animal and organic waste. We can opt for a flexible digester for more benefits.
The renewable energy products will help us make our organic liquid fertiliser, which we can use directly in the field using a biogas slurry pump, which is different from the normal pumps. This is because the slurry has a lot of particles that cannot be easily removed. The slurry pumps come with Japanese technology that can put the slurry directly into the field. Mahindra has come up with a 100% biogas generator that can generate electricity for all requirements. We can also reduce the electricity charges. We should learn to use solar power to be energy independent and save money.
Off-grid solar inverters are for smaller places like households and farms with a charging facility using solar power. A grid system is for people whose electricity bills are high. Solar off-grid is for backup, and solar on-grid is to increase the savings by reducing the electricity bill. We can help you buy one from the best dealer. The major cost in a solar water heater is the very delicate glass rods. Vari is a good brand with a five-year warranty on solar water heaters. A galvanised iron solar water heater is better than a normal one. We have solar cold storage too, where FPOs or farmers can store their produce. It is movable. This will increase the shelf life of the products. We have small solar cold storage and big ones from companies like EcoZim. Solar water pumps from 1 HP to 25 HP are available. We can try AC pumps as they need less maintenance, are durable, low on cost, and high on return on investment. When choosing a solar water pump, we should not buy panels. They should come with a warranty of at least 5 years. A panel of any company is ok. With good company, we can replace the panels if they are not working properly.
Energy-efficient farm equipment
We are also coming up with eTractor, which can run on a single charge for about 75 kilometres. They do not have any maintenance as they run on lithium-ion batteries that can be charged easily with the help of solar power. There are only two branded companies that manufacture them. These products will improve the savings right from the second day of usage. We can be prepared for any emergency, like the pandemic we witnessed. Delivery time is about 10 months. We need to pay Rs. 10000 as an advance payment. They are like any other tractor. We have to charge it, and it runs for 75 kilometres. The price is approximately Rs. 5 lakhs with around 18 to 24 HP. We have more than 20 companies and 100 FPOs on our platform. We have two brands now, Celestial Mobility and Sonalika Tractors. We also have solar water pumps, the AC ones, which need less maintenance, are high on return on investment, and have a warranty of 5 years. We have many options with a warranty and special features. When we are using a 10 HP pump to run a 900 or 1000-foot borewell, we have to put a 12.5 or 16-HP solar water pump to cover the energy deficit. We take up the installation. From our online franchises, people can go and choose the products. We are currently operating in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and soon we will start in Karnataka and Hyderabad. People can become energy independent even if their households have subsidised biogas systems, MNRE subsidies. Solid liquid separators for biogas slurry are for people who want vermicompost raw material to use in compost beds.
About steel digesters, in a poultry farm with lots of poultry waste, separation and segmentation will be done by the company itself. We have to ensure that the poultry waste is treated. It is good for animal waste in various ways. We can use the waste to produce biogas. We can use it in a dairy farm to make many value-added products. We can reduce the LPG cost.
People also want to get biomass pellets, which can be made from dry cow dung by separating the liquid and solid, using the liquid to nourish the soil. People can discuss with Agri Vijay about their energy needs, and we can recommend the right solutions for them. The biogas slurry can be transported from the digester tank to the farms. This can be a good supplement to NPK and improve soil fertility.
Trusted energy partners
We are associated with solar water pump companies that give good products and services. Our partners include Toyota, Vari, Swatch Gas, FOV Biogas, Kirloskar, and so on. We have collaborated with 6 biogas Genset companies, of which 2 or 3 offer good returns and yield, such as Toyota and Mahindra. Aisin is a less expensive one. We suggest going for the Prakash genset when we have a low budget, or a Toyota or Mahindra. By using cow dung, which is always available, it is good for everyone to save money, become energy independent, save the environment, and help the future generation.
Survey-based recommendations
For a 5 acre farm, we can have a 3 to 5 HP solar water pump for 2.8 lakhs, 1 kilowatt solar inverter at Rs. 70000, a small biogas digester for 4 to 5 cattle at Rs. 45 thousand, so a total of Rs. 5 lakhs investment on a 5 acre will make a farmer completely renewable energy farmer, using solar water pump for irrigation, generating electricity for a small home with 1 KW solar inverter, producing biogas, having fuel for cooking. He will be a solar-independent farmer with Rs. 5 lakhs. He can expect a return on investment in 3 years. Maintenance cost is almost negligible when we buy a good quality product, as it comes with a warranty. People should do a good study and research before buying the products. The Government of India has a project called Kusum Yojana, which is for subsidised solar water pumps in Rajasthan and many other states in India. Out of the 7 solar water pump companies on our platform, three are MNRE-approved. The farmer can get the bill, produce it for the department to get a subsidy. Subsidy is not on our side. We can only give a product warranty and bill with a GST number to get the subsidy. The cost varies from waste to waste and need. Biogas is a product like LPG, and the requirement should be considered to fix one. Rajasthan gives a subsidy for solar water pumps for two projects. Each region has a different policy, and we have to reach the local bodies or panchayat level, or district level NHV bodies.
Jodhpur area will be inclined towards solar energy, where there are 4 to 5 cattle, and a solar inverter, a solar water pump, and a biogas digester will be of help to them. We have a range of solar water pumps. We will take a complete survey of the place and recommend accordingly. When we use a 5 HP normal pump, we need a 7.5 HP solar water pump to match the performance. Based on the requirements, we provide the quote as requested by the banks for assistance, and biogas is a component of the dairy farm project. Our quote will be part of a dairy farm project profitable to be submitted to the bank for assistance. We do complete delivery and installation. We have controllers, hybrid in nature. They run in the daytime on solar power and at night on electricity.
Success with solar
Mr. Gangaram Kumawat, a vegetable farmer in Ajmer, who was spending his entire earnings towards fuel cost, took the help of Agri Vijay, switched over to using a solar water pump, and he could increase his earnings greatly. Mr Rakan Lal is another farmer who uses a solar inverter for his dairy business and has reduced electricity costs greatly. We have mixed farmers who have become energy independent. They grow vegetables, wheat, bajra, and cumin. They can recover the cost within 10 months after purchase. We are supported by Niti Aayog Water Renovation Mission, the Ministry of Agriculture, ISO, and MNRE. We have won many awards, too.
Contact details
Vimal Panjwani
Founder & CEO, AgriVijay, Pune, Maharashtra
Mobile: 9571653597 and 9503130037
Email: vpanjwani@agrivijay.com