Solar Pumps as Micro-Enterprises for Women Leveraging Bihar’s Self-Help Groups for Equitable Irrigation Access

Verma, Shilp; Singh, M.; Kuriachen, Philip; Uppal, A.; Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Usadadia, Nikunj; Anand, Abhishek. 2025. Solar Pumps as Micro-Enterprises for Women Leveraging Bihar’s Self-Help Groups for Equitable Irrigation Access. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program. 4p.

This brief presents an action research pilot in Lohsari village of north Bihar, India, implemented by the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, India (AKRSP-I), with support from the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program and the Solar Energy for Rural Livelihoods (SE4RL) project. In India’s eastern Gangetic plains, solar pumps can offer clean energy for pumping water – to replace highly polluting and costly diesel-based irrigation. However, highly fragmented land holdings make investments in individual solar pumps unattractive and unviable. Since 2016, IWMI and AKRSP-I have been working in north Bihar to pilot solar irrigation entrepreneurs – who can deliver high quality and affordable solar irrigation as a service through a solar pump coupled with a network of buried pipes. Through the flagship rural livelihoods initiative, Jeevika, the government of Bihar has also promoted women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the state – to promote micro-saving and micro-lending. As these SHGs mature, they are also encouraging women members to take up micro-enterprises to enhance their incomes. Through this pilot, we are field testing a model that offers solar pumps as a micro-enterprise for SHG women. The innovative pilot aims to demonstrate how such enterprises can eliminate diesel use, boost women’s economic agency, and enhance irrigation coverage.