Abstract

The adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies in agriculture is shaped by the interaction between policy-driven “push” factors and demand-driven “pull” factors. Push factors include government incentives, electrification policies, donor-funded programmes, and private- sector investment that expand access to solar irrigation technologies. Pull factors arise from farmers’ needs for reliable irrigation, rising fuel costs, and the increasing demand for climate- resilient agricultural practices. This study analyses how the balance between these pushes and pull dynamics influences the uptake of solar photovoltaic water pumping systems (SPVWPS) in rural agricultural settings. It examines how push and pull factors collectively support the sustainable energy-water-agriculture nexus through the solarisation of rural agricultural activities. Using a systems-oriented analytical framework, the findings indicate that adoption accelerates when policy incentives align with local agricultural needs and market opportunities. Conversely, technology-led interventions that lack community demand often experience low utilisation and sustainability challenges. The results highlight the importance of integrating farmer-centred demand assessments with supportive policy and institutional frameworks to ensure effective diffusion of solar-powered agricultural technologies and long-term rural development outcomes.