Empowering rural south Odisha: A clean energy entrepreneurship approach for sustainable development

¹ School of Management, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
³ School of Mechanical Engineering, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
⁴ School of Management, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
⁵ Director, Klorofeel Education Association, Odisha, India.

^* Corresponding Author: Shivsankar.das@cutm.ac.in

Abstract

The current paper focuses on the process of developing clean energy entrepreneurs to facilitate the abundant adoption of clean energy products in rural areas of South Odisha, India. Southern part of the state of Odisha, is characterized by its rich cultural and ecological diversity significance, and it faces the challenges of energy access which subsequently leads to slowing down the socio-economic development of the region. Background: The present study focuses on developing a framework on the role of clean energy entrepreneurs in adoption of clean energy technology or the clean energy products and also further it also focuses on design and development of a solar operated Agri-pesticide sprayer. Method: A case study method is used to, identify the major barriers to clean energy adoption in the rural regions of South Odisha and also explore the different entrepreneurial steps undertaken to overcome the challenges. Moreover, the paper also focuses on the collaborating efforts between the local entrepreneurs, government agencies, and various non-profit organizations so as to create a supportive ecosystem for achieving sustainable development. Results: The findings of the study aims to inform policy makers, Government, etc. that there is a need to collaborate in order to adopt clean energy products so that it will help in paving a way for achieving sustainable development.