Biogas plants planned for farmers in India to prevent crop stubble burning
The Indian government is planning to set up more than 100 biogas plants in a bid to tackle the issue of crop stubble burning. Every winter thousands of farmers burn leftover crop stubble, sending vast plumes of smoke into the sky and polluting neighbouring communities.
Farmers have long burned crop stubble to prepare the land for new planting in October and November, due to a lack of machinery. According to a report by Business Standard, government-backed company Indian Oil Corp will invite private firms to apply to set up 140 biogas plants that will use rice stubble as a feedstock.
The article states that the plants would each require two tonnes of crop residue per hour for at least 300 days to produce a good amount of compressed natural gas. The government is set to earmark funds for the project that would incentivise farmers to sell their waste rather than burn it.
Farmers have long burned crop stubble to prepare the land for new planting in October and November, due to a lack of machinery. According to a report by Business Standard, government-backed company Indian Oil Corp will invite private firms to apply to set up 140 biogas plants that will use rice stubble as a feedstock.
The article states that the plants would each require two tonnes of crop residue per hour for at least 300 days to produce a good amount of compressed natural gas. The government is set to earmark funds for the project that would incentivise farmers to sell their waste rather than burn it.
