Reliance Industries to invest ₹100 crore in ICAR project for biogas feedstock development
Seen as a major breakthrough in agriculture research to enlist corporate interest, Reliance Industries (RIL) is believed to have decided to fund about ₹100 crore to a project under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The investment is for developing 11 varieties of grass species that can be used as feedstock to produce compressed biogas. An agreement is likely to be signed by RIL with ICAR’s Jhansi-based Indian Grassland & Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), sources said.
“The project will be for a period of five years and about ₹85 crore (excluding GST) will be pumped in by RIL. While the patent will remain with IGFRI, RIL will be free to take these species to suitable location for commercial/contract farming,” said a company source involved in the negotiations with the ICAR.
Bajra-Napier hybrid
There is already one variety available, called Bajra-Napier hybrid, which is a cross of bajra (millet) and Napier grass that can be commercially taken up for industrial use as farmers do not prefer it in the absence of an ssured market, despite very high yield, an agriculture scientist of IGFRI said. The director of IGFRI was not available for comments as he was travelling.
Sources said that developing these fodder crops is not difficult, but the challenge is to maintain the same yield level in rainfed and irrigated conditions as well as in both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
According to IGFRI, the average yield of Bajra Napier hybrid in southern states is about 250 tonnes/hectare per annum, which can be increased to 300-350 tonnes. In a year, farmers can harvest every 40-45 days, depending on the crop height. But, the harvesting is impacted in the north, unlike southern India, during winter as the variety is not yet cold resistant. Scientists are working to develop cold-resistant varieties, sources said, adding the average yield in the north is about 70-100 tonnes, which can be increased to 150 tonnes with better management.
“In the south, farmers take 9 cuts in a year when in each cutting the plant grows to about 9-10 ft height. If the cutting is delayed and carried out after 50 days, Bajra Napier can grow 12-13 ft,” said a scientist.
Earning potential
Sources also said that it was not promoted earlier due to the debate over food-versus-fuel, even as farmers have the potential to earn higher than growing agricultural crops. Even if farmers get ₹5,000/tonne, they will earn ₹12,50,000 in a year from only one hectare. However, there are some costs like irrigation and manual labour (for harvesting) involved. There is no mechanised harvesting developed yet, the sources said.