The challenge of stubble burning has prompted collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to address this issue and manage agricultural waste in a scientific manner, benefiting both people and the natural environment. In a key development, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has signed an agreement with Panj Aab Bio Fuel & Fertilizers Private Limited, Ludhiana, for the commercialisation of a paddy straw-based biogas plant utilizing mild steel (MS) sheet above-ground technology.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed by Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research at PAU, and Ravi Inder Singh, Director of Panj Aab Bio Fuel & Fertilizers Private Limited.
Dr. Manjeet Singh, Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, and Navjot Singh, CFO of Panj Aab Bio Fuel & Fertilizers Private Limited were also present during the agreement signing.
Dr. Dhatt extended his congratulations to Dr. Sarbjit Singh Sooch, Head and Principal Scientist of the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, for successfully commercialising the agri-waste to biogas innovative technology.
It was highlighted during the occasion that paddy straw can be processed through anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which serves as a clean fuel for cooking and power generation. The technology employs dry fermentation, a modern method of anaerobic digestion that requires minimal labor while producing biogas continuously for three months. Additionally, the digested material is a high-quality organic manure, ready for agricultural use.
Dr. Khushdeep Dharni, Associate Director of the Technology Marketing and IPR Cell at PAU, emphasized that PAU’s technologies are fostering sustainability and making a significant impact on the lives of ordinary citizens through commercialisation. He noted that efforts are underway to accelerate the transfer of innovations from the laboratory to the field.
The Punjab government recently said that 7 compressed biogas projects will be operationalized by the end of 2024. Recently, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), a state-owned entity, has entered into an agreement with GAIL (India) Limited to establish 10 compressed biogas projects and other ventures related to new and renewable energy in the region.
Moreover, the state government’s agriculture department has proposed a plan to diversify farming activities by promoting the cultivation of maize as an industrial crop that will help in biofuel production in the state.
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