MSEDCL’s Solar Projects Boost Farmer Safety and Wildlife Conservation
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has launched decentralized solar power plants in Pune district to provide reliable daytime power for farmers, reducing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting clean energy.
Solar EnergyMsedclFarmer SafetyWildlife ConservationPune DistrictReal Estate PuneNov 01, 2025
MSEDCL officials say the solar projects are already benefiting hundreds of farmers by providing a steady, sustainable power supply during the day. The shift to solar energy is also anticipated to ease agricultural power demand, lower carbon emissions, and promote clean energy in rural Maharashtra.
“Although progress has been slower than anticipated, the operational sites are showing encouraging results,” said Vikas Puri, PRO, MSEDCL.
For years, farmers across Maharashtra, including those in Pune district, have demanded regular daytime electricity for agriculture. However, high demand from residential and industrial users left a limited scope for daytime allocation to irrigation. The issue became more pressing as parts of Pune, particularly Junnar and nearby tehsils, reported an increase in wildlife conflicts, including leopard attacks on farmers working in their fields at night or early morning. These incidents disrupted agricultural activity and intensified calls for daytime power.
To tackle this and reduce reliance on coal and hydropower-based electricity, the state turned to solar energy as a sustainable alternative. The Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana was launched in 2017 and received a major boost when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated its second phase in November 2024.
In Pune district, 12 solar power projects have been completed under the scheme, generating a total capacity of 68 megawatts. Located across talukas such as Junnar, Ambegaon, Baramati, Indapur, and Shirur, these projects have transformed access to daytime electricity. In areas known for leopard activity, farmers earlier relied on night-time irrigation, exposing themselves to danger. With solar-based daytime power, they can now complete fieldwork safely before dusk, significantly reducing such risks.
In the long run, this decentralized solar model is expected to empower rural communities. Many projects are being developed in partnership with local farmers and private stakeholders, creating employment opportunities and promoting energy self-reliance. Most existing plants are built on government-owned land, but authorities see potential in using private plots and non-cultivable areas for future projects. “This approach will not only meet regional power demand but also give farmers an additional income source,” said an MSEDCL official.
While daytime electricity has reduced leopard encounters in Junnar and Shirur, now known conflict hotspots, forest officials caution that it solves only part of the problem.
Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests, Junnar division, said, “Daytime power has improved safety and flexibility for farmers. However, the core challenge persists: the growing leopard population and rising human-animal interactions.”
Rajhans added that recent field data show a shift in conflict patterns: most fatalities in the past five years occurred near residential areas rather than farmlands. This suggests the conflict is evolving beyond agricultural spaces, calling for broader strategies involving habitat management, awareness campaigns, and community-based safety initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0?
The Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 is a government initiative in Maharashtra aimed at setting up decentralized solar power plants to provide reliable daytime power for farmers, reducing their reliance on night-time electricity and promoting clean energy.
How does the solar power initiative help reduce human-wildlife conflicts?
By providing reliable daytime power, farmers can complete their irrigation and fieldwork before dusk, reducing the risk of encountering wildlife such as leopards during night-time activities.
What are the benefits of the solar projects for farmers?
The solar projects provide a steady, sustainable power supply during the day, ease agricultural power demand, lower carbon emissions, and promote clean energy in rural areas. They also create employment opportunities and additional income sources for farmers.
How many solar power projects have been completed in Pune district?
Twelve solar power projects have been completed in Pune district under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0, generating a total capacity of 68 megawatts.
What additional measures are needed to address human-wildlife conflicts?
While daytime power has improved safety, broader strategies involving habitat management, awareness campaigns, and community-based safety initiatives are needed to address the growing leopard population and rising human-animal interactions.
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