Speaking on the occasion of award distribution ceremony for the winners of essay writing contest organized on “Waste to Wealth” on 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh millions of tonnes of garbage in the country come from agriculture and agricultural enterprise which can be converted into biofuels.
The Minister underlined that according to a data, 70 percent of this residue is used in industrial areas and as domestic fuel. The remaining residue can be used in energy production. Many studies have shown that biofuel, biodiesel and bio ethanol can be used as a co-fuel. Effective management of agricultural waste can bring wealth.
“There are many alternate methods for management of crop residue such as composting, fodder for animal feed etc. which not only help in proper management of agricultural wastes but also earn extra income for the farmers’, Singh said.
Speaking on the issue of stubble burning by farmers the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare said that government is making every effort to stop it. Financial assistance is being provided to the farmers for management of crop residues, he stated.
“As a new initiative, promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for in-situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi is being undertaken. The total outgo from the Central funds has been kept at Rs. 1151.80 crore”, he disclosed.
The competition was organized to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Ministry received a total of 1399 essays from the entire country in both languages, which were assessed by a three-member Expert Committee. 24 candidates which included 13 girls and 11 boys were awarded.