Assessment of Bioenergy Generation Potential of Agricultural Crop Residues in India

Abstract

Crop residues are sustainable feedstock for bioenergy production. The gross crop residue potential generated in India is 696.38 million tonnes/year. Cereal crops generate about 364.27 million tonnes/year of crop residues. Cereal crops (rice, wheat, sorghum, pearl millet, maize), sugarcane and horticultural crops (coconut, areca nut, banana) are found to have immense crop residue generation potential. Crop residues of 209.69 million tonnes/year are available as surplus and can be explored for bioenergy generation. Cereals and sugarcane account for 75% of surplus crop residues. Spatial variations existing between states in terms of surplus crop residue generation are due to crop acreage and crop productivity. Uttar Pradesh generates 116.69 million tonnes/year of gross crop residues and 41.76 million tonnes/year of surplus crop residues. States like Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu generate surplus crop residues in the range between 7.62 and 18.3 million tonnes. Surplus crop residues can generate about 3.96 EJ of energy. Cereal crops, sugarcane and horticultural crops have potential to contribute significantly to bioenergy production. Bioenergy generation from crop residues in India can meet growing renewable energy demand. It is a viable and sustainable alternative, as the energy generated can reduce the use of fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change and also empower the marginal and small farmers in terms of income and employment opportunities. Assessment of bioenergy potential from crop residues provides a path to tap the bioenergy opportunities, to minimize the constraints on the use of crop residues, to support investment decisions and efficient utilization of available biological resources.