Clean energy – hydro, solar, biomass and wind – is abundant in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. With rising temperatures set to make farming – which provides one fifth of the region’s GDP – harder than ever, it’s crucial the sector embrace renewables’ potential to transform yields, food security, and to transition away from polluting energy sources. ICIMOD and partners are working across the region to turbocharge this important shift.

Agriculture in South Asia is highly susceptible to climate change and its variability.

The IPCC has projected 0.88–3.16 °C rise in temperature by 2050 in South Asia.

This long-term change in temperature and precipitation patterns will worsen impacting agriculture in the long run.
Given that 80% of the population in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region depend on agriculture for livelihood, they will face the brunt of the impacts of climate change.
Communities in the mountains are already seeing falls in crop diversity, productivity, and food security.
ICIMOD’s landmark scientific assessments provide evidence on the scale of the region’s vulnerability to these risks.

The agriculture sector relies heavily on intensive energy.

Agriculture contributes 18% of the total GDP in the South Asian economy.
While farming’s energy consumption is minimal (less than 4% of the region’s total consumption), up to 90% of that use is through fossil fuels.
There is already a huge focus on building the resilience of farming to sustain lives and livelihoods in the region as temperatures continue to rise.
It’s crucial this work harnesses the extraordinary potential of renewables — found in abundance in the Hindu Kush Himalaya in the form of hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind — and supports farmers to transition away from fossil fuel use.
Renewables could hugely lighten farmers’ load.

The productive use of renewable energy (PURE) is the badge for global efforts to support income, productivity, and livelihoods through access to sustainable and affordable energy services.

Examples of PURE systems include:
- pump systems for irrigation to provide access to ground and surface water during dry seasons, boosting food production.
- cold storage systems can extend food shelf life and reduce farm losses by 30 to 40%. In the absence of adequate cold storage, globally around 14% of food produced is lost between the post-harvest and retails stages of the value chain.
Agri-milling, processing, and other machinery can increase crop yield and efficiency.

CALL TO ACTION

ENERGIZING MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE

Renewable energy has the power to make farming fit for the future

Accelerating investment in renewable energy is essential to unlock its full potential
to drive agricultural productivity and advance sustainable development in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.

Identifying market opportunities for RE integration in the agriculture sector
by bridging knowledge and data gaps.

Understanding the context to tailor customized solutions for the mountains and hills
to scale the productive use of renewable energy.

Prioritizing the integration of renewable energy in agriculture-related policies
to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts on food security and livelihood.

Scaling of productive use of renewable energy through 4 pathways
capability (raising awareness and capacity building), regional cooperation (knowledge exchange among RMCs), investments, and policy.