‘Need for demand-driven biomass supply chain management and modern bioenergy pathways’

The experts shared their views in a national seminar on biomass supply chain management exploring challenges, opportunities, and bioenergy developments in India.

There is a need for demand-driven biomass supply chain management and modern bioenergy pathways in the country. Viewing biomass supply chain management from the demand side to create market-driven mechanisms for efficient offtake is important. The environmental and social benefits of biomass utilisation are promoting biomass co-firing to increase biomass usage in power generation. Satish Upadhyay, Mission Director of SAMARTH shared these views speaking at a national seminar organised at Chandigarh.

A one-day “National Seminar on Biomass Supply Chain Management: Challenges, Opportunities, and Developments” was organised at MGSIPA Complex in Chandigarh to understand and address the challenges and opportunities associated with the efficient management of biomass supply chains (BSC) in the country. The seminar has been organised by Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy Technology (SSS-NIBE), Kapurthala, an autonomous institution of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

The Guest of Honour, Pritpal Singh, Executive Director of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST), discussed the challenges of biomass storage, supply, and leakage management. He emphasised the need to utilise modern bioenergy pathways to harness biomass’s full potential and ensure its availability at economically viable prices for industries. Also, Dr G. Sridhar, Director General of Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), stressed the critical role of supply chain management in the successful implementation of bioenergy programmes. He shared insights on ongoing research by SSS-NIBE to advance the bioenergy sector in India.

Meanwhile, Maganbir Singh from PSCST addressed the specific challenges of paddy straw utilisation in Punjab. He discussed current practices, challenges, and opportunities for using paddy straw as a sustainable resource. The day-long seminar featured multiple sessions exploring the challenges and opportunities in biomass supply chain management and its role in promoting bioenergy in India.

The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest and Mission Director, SAMARTH (Sustainable Agrarian Mission on use of Agri-Residue in Thermal Power Plants), Ministry of Power, Government of India, Satish Upadhyay; Guest of Honour and Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST), Government of Punjab, Pritpal Singh; and Director General, SSS-NIBE, G. Sridhar. Director General, MGSIPA, Anirudh Tewari, with his extensive experience in stubble management policies and practices, graced the event and shared his valuable insights with the participants.