Hailakandi: Marking a major step toward sustainable agriculture and rural empowerment, Northeast India’s first organised agrivoltaic and solar-powered tea blending unit was formally inaugurated on Monday at Srikishan Sarda College (SS College), Hailakandi.

The innovative project is the result of a collaborative effort by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, SS College, and HDFC Parivartan. Located beside the college playground, the unit aims to integrate solar energy generation with medicinal herb cultivation and local tea processing.

The inaugural ceremony was held at the college auditorium in the presence of several dignitaries. Additional District Commissioner of Hailakandi, Deepmala Goala, attended as the chief guest and lauded the project’s potential to transform the region’s agricultural landscape.

Key figures present at the event included Dr. Ratan Kumar, principal of SS College, Asim Das, cluster head of HDFC Bank, Dr. Jogisharadhya R., head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Hailakandi, and Dr. Siddhartha Singha from IIT Guwahati, who led the project’s technical execution.

Under this initiative, a 50kw agrivoltaic solar installation has been set up on the college campus. The system not only generates clean energy but also supports the cultivation of herbs such as Ashwagandha and Roselle beneath the solar panels. A solar-powered tea blending and processing unit has also been commissioned, which will be operated by a local farmer-producer organisation (FPO). Over 300 farmers in the region are expected to benefit directly from this sustainable model.

Speaking at the event, college authorities said the project showcases a dual-use land model that combines renewable energy and climate-resilient agriculture. It is expected to become a benchmark for sustainable rural development in the Northeast.

Electricity produced through this system will be utilised by the college through net metering, reducing dependency on conventional grid power and supporting Assam’s clean energy goals.

The project was conceptualised and implemented under the leadership of Dr. Siddhartha Singha, with strategic support from Dr. Debashish Guha Thakurta, Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department at SS College. The initiative is being hailed as an exemplary model for integrating clean energy, value-added agriculture, and community empowerment.

The event also featured a live demonstration of modern machinery installed in the newly established tea blending unit, aimed at promoting local agri-business and skill development.

In his welcome address, Dr. Ratan Kumar outlined the objectives of the project. This was followed by speeches from several dignitaries, including the chief guest, who commended the initiative for its innovation and community impact.

Other notable attendees included SS College faculty members Sukanya Choudhury and Yagneshwar Deb, Rotary Club secretary Dr. Kamal Hussain Choudhury, Abdul Malik, managing director of FPO Hailakandi, Satananda Bhattacharjee, journalist, Sushanta Mohan Chatterjee and representatives from Assam University’s Agriculture Department, KVK Hailakandi, and other stakeholders.

The programme was conducted under the overall coordination of Dr. Debashish Guha Thakurta and concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Siddhartha Singha.