KJ Somaiya College of Engineering and Godavari Biorefineries Ltd will launch a 3-year project on converting rice straw 100% biodegradable tableware as part of efforts to reduce the traditional practice of burning paddy straw. In addition to better rice straw management, the project also aims to promote replacing the use of plastic and traditional papers with materials made from agricultural waste products.
As the world’s largest rice producer, India generates 150-225 million metric tons (MMT) of rice straw every year with about 70-80 MMT of that burned by the farmers on the field.
The project has been approved and funded by the Department of Science and Technology.
Read the full story at United News of India
More on sustainable rice straw management:
Building a social innovation strategy for rice straw bioenergy in the Philippines and Vietnam
Involving farmers and local communities in bioenergy development is important for the deployment of sustainable bioenergy systems, especially if rural areas are to maximize potential co-benefits from energy provision. Focusing on rice straw bioenergy in the Philippines and Vietnam, our research explored how farmers’ social networks can serve as a platform for social innovation – an emerging approach to energy transitions aimed at delivering solutions by empowering local people.
Benefits drive the adoption of rice straw management practices in the Mekong Delta
Vietnam is one of the main rice-producing and exporting countries in Southeast Asia. Rice production in the country is continuously increasing due to the expansion of cropping areas and improved farming methods. Consequently, producing more rice means producing more rice straw as a byproduct. Extensive research on rice straw has shown that there are alternative ways to reduce and even use rice straw. However, there is still a need to understand what influences farmers’ decision to accept or assess alternative practices and technologies.
Philippine upcycling initiative turns rice straw into inexpensive, nutritious livestock feed
Although, ruminants can thrive on rice straw as a low-cost fodder, improving its nutritional content and palatability can lead to higher production and profitability. According to the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) treating rice straw with feed additives such as urea and molasses enhances milk production and promotes better digestion. To this end, the Bureau of Agricultural Research under the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) funded a project called the Development of Sustainable Rice Straw Practices and Technologies for Food, Feed and Bioenergy in the Philippines (RiceStrawPH). Implemented by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), PCC, and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), RiceStrawPH conducted a demonstration and technology showcase on enhanced feeding management practices for urea-molasses treated rice straw (UMTRS) for ruminant raisers at the Municipal Agricultural Office in M’lang, North Cotabato in February 2020.
Sustainable Rice Straw Management book now available for download
Sustainable Rice Straw Management is an open access book that provides a wide array of options for rice straw management that are potentially more sustainable, environmental, and profitable compared to current practice. The book is authored by expert researchers, engineers, and innovators working on a range of straw management options with case studies from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
