AgriVijay: How a Mother-Son Duo is Revolutionising Rural India’s Energy

In the heart of Ajmer, Rajasthan & Baramati,Pune,Maharashtra a mother-son duo is revolutionising rural India's energy landscape. Born during the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, AgriVijay emerged not just as a startup, but as a mission, a movement to bring clean, sustainable energy to farmers and rural households. Behind this vision are Shobha Chanchlani, a retired govt official, and her son Vimal Panjwani, a seasoned professional in agribusiness and social impact.

The Genesis: A Question That Sparked a Movement

When lockdowns silenced the streets and uncertainty loomed, Shobha posed a pivotal question to her son: "You've built companies for others. Why not build one with me?" What followed was more than a venture; it was the birth of India's first curated renewable energy marketplace for farmers. With Shobha's retirement savings and Vimal's deep-rooted experience in agritech, social entrepreneurship, and rural innovation, AgriVijay was born.

A Career Built on Grassroots Impact

Vimal's journey spans over a decade, marked by roles at Bisleri, Sony Pictures Networks, ICICI Bank, AgriBolo, Ugaoo, and Sistema.bio. His work has always circled back to the grassroots, developing rural distribution networks, launching solar and biogas initiatives, and spearheading farmer-centric innovations. His vision: an Amazon for renewables, catering specifically to India's farmers, offering end-to-end services without the reliance on apps.

Solving for India’s Rural Energy Crisis

India's 9 crore farmer families face critical energy challenges—from reliance on diesel generators and firewood to post-harvest losses and unutilized agricultural waste. AgriVijay offers a comprehensive solution: a marketplace that not only sells renewable products but understands energy needs, recommends suitable solutions, provides financing, ensures installation, and delivers assured after-sales service.

From solar inverters to biogas digestors, every product is vetted for its capacity to cut greenhouse emissions and elevate incomes.

Technology Meets Trust

Recognising the digital divide in rural India, AgriVijay deploys an omnichannel approach: village-level Renewable Energy Stores, AI-enabled WhatsApp chatbots, localised call centres, and field sales teams.

Farmers receive personalised consultations and services in their native languages. This model marries high tech with high touch, ensuring adoption and impact.

Impact at Scale

AgriVijay’s footprint now spans 595+ villages, impacting over 6,300 lives and deploying more than 7,000 renewable energy products. It has treated 5,70,900+ kg of animal waste, produced over 25 lakh kWh of clean energy, and mitigated more than 20,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Farmers have collectively saved over Rs 1.15 crore, all while contributing to India’s net-zero goals.

Recognition and Reach

The startup has been showered with accolades, from FICCI to NASSCOM and  Forbes. Its partnerships with global giants like UNDP ,Germany's Next2Sun and Indian institutions like SELCO, BAIF, JSW, and MGNREGA reflect a growing trust in AgriVijay’s model. With a profitable FY24- 25 and an ambitious plan to launch 10,000 RE Stores by 2030, the momentum is only growing.

What makes AgriVijay stand out is not just its innovation, but its intention. As Vimal puts it, "We’re not just selling products—we’re solving problems, building trust, and empowering lives." 

Charting the Future of Rural Energy

AgriVijay's next phase includes scaling its AgriVoltaics solutions, introducing solar-powered agri machinery, and deepening its reach across India’s 18+ served states. Its marketplace now offers 200+ SKUs from 50+ partners, and new AI tools promise to further streamline farmer engagement and product education.