As Oorja expands its Pay-Per-Use solar irrigation model, international recognition is bringing greater visibility to its work. The Prince Talal International Prize reinforces Oorja’s innovative approach to affordable, clean irrigation and is helping accelerate partnerships, investment, and the expansion of its impact across rural India.

This award recognises Oorja’s innovative Pay-Per-Use solar irrigation model, which provides smallholder farmers with affordable access to clean irrigation without upfront investment. The $100,000 prize will support the expansion of these services to reach more farming communities in Uttar Pradesh.

This award recognises the innovation and scalability of Oorja’s Pay-Per-Use solar irrigation model, which removes upfront investment barriers by providing irrigation as a service. The recognition highlights Oorja’s contribution to expanding affordable, reliable, and clean irrigation for smallholder farmers.

Awarded in recognition of Oorja’s innovative approach to integrating agrivoltaics with its Pay-Per-Use solar irrigation model. The winning proposal demonstrates how land beneath solar irrigation systems can be used for productive cultivation, creating additional income opportunities for smallholder farmers while maximising the value of clean energy infrastructure.

This article features Oorja’s win at the Seeding the Future Global Food Systems grand Prize, organised by Seeding the Future Foundation and the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

Oorja’s comprehensive package of services that combines Pay-Per-Use Irrigation with Climate-Smart Advisory, soil testing, seed supply, on-site training in sustainable practices, and a mobile app has been specially lauded for creating lasting impact on smallholder farmers in India.

Audrey has been instrumental in scaling climate-smart solutions that empower farming communities through clean energy and sustainable agriculture.

By deploying a decentralised solar-powered service package, Oorja offers farmers affordable irrigation and climate-smart farm advisory services through an innovative pay-per-use model. 

Oorja has been named one of the top 6 climate-tech companies globally at the 2024 MIT Solve Challenge Finals in New York City.

Clementine Chambon and Amit Saraogi co-founded Oorja in Uttar Pradesh, India to help poor farming communities. And while they take a market-driven entrepreneurial approach, philanthropy still plays a key role.

Oorja has announced the successful close of its $1.5 million Pre-Series A funding round. Acumen, elea, Artha Impact, Echoing Green Signal Fund, PG Impact, 1to4 Foundation, and Swiss Re Foundation invest in Oorja.

Listen to Amit Saraogi as he speaks about the innovative Pay-Per-Use solar-powered cold storage service that allows farmers and traders to combat post-harvest food loss.

CTO & Co-founder Dr. Clementine Chambon highlights Oorja’s Pay-Per-Use model in creating energy access and impact among India’s smallholder farmers.

The Business India magazine has featured the DCM Shriram AgWater Challenge cohort in its special annual issue on climate change.

Taking an ecosystem and entrepreneurial approach to enabling productive use of renewable energy technologies that support regenerative agriculture and agri-food value chains can fast track the just energy transition, improve livelihoods and build resilient food systems in the global south.

Listen how Oorja’s innovative ‘Pay-Per-Use model’ is making solar-powered irrigation affordable and easily accessible for last-mile communities.

Let us look at the social impact start-up from India that is helping smallholders achieve more financial independence as well as lowering their carbon footprint.

Several studies suggest that female-led ventures show a robust commitment to social responsibility, surpassing their counterparts that lack women in founding teams.

CEO Amit Saraogi and Senior Manager Ankur Singh answer some of the most pressing questions mobilizing young climate enthusiasts into the Climate Action workforce.

Clementine was featured in an interview focusing on Women Influencers in the May 2023 edition of the Energetica India Magazine.