ICRISAT’s solar-powered water hyacinth harvester recognized among India’s Top 100 Innovations of 2025

New Delhi: ICRISAT is restoring freshwater ecosystems using its solar-powered water hyacinth harvester. The recognition of this harvester as one of India’s Top 100 Innovations of 2025 was announced during the launch of the book Top 100 Indian Innovations 2025 at the India International Innovation and Invention Expo (INEX India) on 13 November 2025 in Goa.

It highlights the significance of ICRISAT’s solar-driven, eco-friendly solution in combating water hyacinth infestation, a persistent problem affecting millions of people and water systems across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Designed and invented in-house, the harvester provides a sustainable alternative to conventional mechanical weed removal systems.

It utilizes solar energy to enable rural communities to clear waterways, improve water flow in tanks and reservoirs, and repurpose the collected biomass for composting, biogas generation, or other value-added uses.

ICRISAT secured its first industrial design registration in India in 2024, followed by an IP licensing agreement with Eco-Paryavaran in 2025. The technology is now listed among the Top 100 innovations of 2025.

Speaking on the innovation, Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Himanshu Pathak, said as the world confronts the evolving challenges of climate change, innovations like this redefine what is possible for sustainable ecosystem restoration. “In some Indian wetlands, water hyacinth biomass can soar to an astonishing 408 tons per hectare. These dense floating mats shut out sunlight, drain dissolved oxygen, and ultimately suffocate fish and other aquatic life. Their explosive growth not only devastates biodiversity but also degrades water quality. Our solar-powered harvester provides a practical and sustainable solution for clearing this invasive weed and revitalizing stressed ecosystems.”

“This innovation honors the communities we work with and reflects ICRISAT’s 50-year tradition of designing solutions with and for those who rely on resilient ecosystems,” said Dr Pathak.

Conventional weed-removal systems are costly to operate and maintain, often straining the budgets of rural communities and local agencies.

ICRISAT’s solar-powered water hyacinth harvester presents a transformative, low-cost alternative.

By pairing ecological restoration with economic opportunities, the initiative is transforming a major environmental challenge into a catalyst for rural livelihoods.

“This is a standout example of lab-to-field translation. The Government of Odisha, Eco-Paryavaran, and our in-house multidisciplinary team have together delivered a solution that offers 50–60% savings in time, labor, and running costs, providing communities with a sustainable and affordable option for restoring water bodies and gaining an economic benefit,” said Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research and Innovation at ICRISAT.

Developed under the project “Sustainable Valorisation of Water Hyacinth Biomass through Aerobic Composting as a Rural Enterprise—A Waste to Wealth Initiative,”supported under the Innovative Scheme (State Plan) by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, India, the innovation delivers benefits that extend well beyond cleaning water bodies.

“We train communities on how to convert this harvested water hyacinth biomass into high-quality compost, bio-fertilizers and other value-added products that support circular, community-driven economies,” explained Dr Aviraj Datta, Scientist – Wastewater Management at ICRISAT.

The solar-powered water hyacinth harvester can be accessed through multiple government rural development schemes, making it easier for communities to adopt.