Punjab is poised to become a national leader in biofuel production, with the state government unveiling an ambitious Punjab State Policy for Biofuels. This initiative aims to fulfill 20% of the state’s overall fuel demand with biofuels by 2035, as stated by Aman Arora, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Sources, during a roundtable discussion on “Biofuels: Reimagining India’s Energy Sector & Sustainability in Agriculture” on Wednesday, reported Punjabenews.
As per the news report, the policy focuses on developing and promoting the production of various biofuels, including Compressed Biogas (CBG), 2G Bio-ethanol, and Biomass Pellets, utilizing agricultural residues in Punjab. The initiative aims to recycle at least 50% of agricultural and other waste, which is projected to increase soil organic content by up to 5%. Moreover, it will provide farmers with opportunities to earn additional income by cultivating biofuel crops and selling biomass.
As an agrarian state, Punjab has substantial potential for biofuel production, generating around 20 million tons of paddy straw annually, of which approximately 12 million tons are currently used in various applications. To tackle the problem of stubble burning and promote the scientific disposal of paddy straw, establishing Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects is a key solution. Punjab has earmarked 58 CBG projects with a total production capacity of about 720 tons of CBG per day, based on paddy straw and other agricultural residues. Once these projects are operational, they will utilize around 2.4 to 2.5 million tons of paddy straw each year, while generating direct employment for about 5,000 individuals and indirect employment for an additional 7,500.
Mr. Aman Arora urged state farmers, industry players, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively with the government and adopt biofuel initiatives for a greener future. He emphasized the necessity for a new green revolution in Punjab, noting that the paddy-wheat cycle has led to groundwater over-exploitation and soil degradation. Biofuels offer a cleaner alternative with lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. They also foster a circular economy by transforming waste into energy, thus reducing environmental impact and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. He advocated for inter-cropping and crop rotation as effective strategies to maintain soil fertility and minimize the adverse effects of monoculture practices. By diversifying crop production, farmers can enhance soil health, improve yield resilience, and promote sustainable farming methods that benefit both the environment and agricultural productivity.
Additionally, the Cabinet Minister reported that four Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects are currently operational, with a combined capacity of 85 tons per day (TPD). One more CBG project, with a capacity of 20 TPD, is scheduled to commence in the financial year 2024-25. Furthermore, six additional projects with a total capacity of 59 TPD of CBG are planned for the financial year 2025-26.
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