Govt Plan to Set Up Bio-Gas Plants will Boost Bamboo Production: IBF

According to the IBF, the government’s proposal to set up 5,000 compressed bio-gas plants by 2023-24 will improve the production of bamboo in the country and encourage the industry as the commodity can be used to produce gas.

Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Chairman, and former Union Minister of the India Bamboo Forum (IBF), said he will collaborate with all stakeholders in the bamboo value chain, including farmers, harvesters, and entrepreneurs, so they can access the benefits of the government’s programme.

The compressed bio-gas (CBG) generation process from biomass, such as bamboo and any agricultural waste, is a two-step process in which the waste is processed with a special bacterial solution that creates a gas that is then filtered and compressed for use in vehicles as fuel.

Oil Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan said India will see a Rs. 2 lakh crore (US$ 27.09 billion) investment in building up 5,000 plants to generate biogas and crop waste by 2023-24.

IBF founder member Mr. Pasha Patel said, “the forum is proposing to launch a major nationwide bamboo plantation drive to ensure that the agricultural community gets its rightful share of this market.”

IBF founder member and Director, Konkan Bamboo and Cane Development Centre (KONBAC), Mr. Sanjeev Karpe, said, “the government plan has the potential to provide the bamboo industry with a much-needed impetus as the announcement would further encourage farmers to grow the commodity.”

He said, “This decision of establishing 5,000 CBG plants can build sustainable market for more than 35 lakh acres of bamboo plantation. The gas produced at CBG plants can be used as fuel to power automobiles. Biofuels have the potential to reduce fuel import bill by Rs 1 lakh crore (US$ 13.55 billion).”

The forum was launched by Mr. Prabhu in October to improve the bamboo industry by promoting entrepreneurship, research, and trade in high-quality bamboo products in a sustainable way.

Source: IBEF