Key Questions Answered in this Section
- What are the major crops contributing to biomass feedstock production in Karnataka?
- Which regions in Karnataka are known for cultivation of prominent crops?
- Which types of biomass residues are generated in Karnataka?
- What are the biomass clusters in Karnataka?
- How is the biomass supply chain in Karnataka?
- How much sugarcane cane trash and bagasse is generated in Karnataka?
- How much maize cob and husk is generated in Karnataka?
- How much cotton stalk is generated in Karnataka?
- How much groundnut shells is generated in Karnataka?
- How much soybean stalk is generated in Karnataka?
- How much coffee husk is generated in Karnataka?
- How much cashew nut shells is generated in Karnataka?
Karnataka comprises a mix of urban and rural regions, with the top urban areas being Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Davanagere, Ballari, Vijayapura, and Shivamogga. Understanding the biomass supply chain in Karnataka is crucial for optimizing the utilization of agri residues and enhancing the state’s bioenergy potential.
Major Crops Grown in Karnataka
The crops associated with biomass feedstock generation in Karnataka include:
| Crop | Total Production (MTPA) |
| Sugarcane | 61 |
| Bamboo | 26.4 |
| Maize | 5 |
| Cotton | 2 |
| Groundnut | 0.55 |
| Soybean | 0.4 |
| Coffee | 0.25 |
| Cashew Nut | 0.07 |
The cultivation of these crops results in substantial biomass feedstock, contributing significantly to Karnataka’s bioeconomy.
Residue Generation
For each crop, the total residue generation data is as follows:
| Crop | Residue Type | Quantity (MTPA) |
| Sugarcane | Cane trash, bagasse | 22 |
| Bamboo | Leaves, Branches, Nodes, Outer Sheath, Bamboo Chips, Sawdust, Culm Tops | NA |
| Maize | Cob, husk | 1.5 |
| Cotton | Stalk | 1 |
| Groundnut | Shells | 0.16 |
| Soybean | Stalk | 0.18 |
| Coffee | Husk | 0.125 |
| Cashew Nut | Shells | 0.05 |
Efficient management of these crop residues is essential for developing a sustainable biomass supply chain in Karnataka.
Significant Regions of Availability in Karnataka
Regions within Karnataka with significant availability of crop residues:
- Maize: Shimoga, Davangere, Chitradurga
- Cotton: Bijapur, Dharwad, Bellary
- Sugarcane: Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajnagar and Bidar
- Groundnut: Raichur, Gulbarga, Koppal, Vijayapura, Challekere, Chitradurga, Davangere, Ramdurga
- Soybean: Dharwad, Hubli and Kalaghatagi
- Coffee: Kodagu (Coorg), Chikmagalur, and Hassan
Identifying these biomass clusters enables targeted strategies for biomass feedstock collection and utilization.
Prominent Crops in Different Regions of Karnataka
Each region’s unique crop profile contributes to the diversity of agricultural residues, impacting the overall biomass availability in Karnataka.
| Region | Prominent Crops |
| Shimoga | Maize |
| Davangere | Maize, Groundnut |
| Chitradurga | Maize, Groundnut |
| Bijapur | Cotton, Sugarcane, Groundnut |
| Dharwad | Cotton, Soybean |
| Bellary | Cotton |
| Belgaum | Sugarcane |
| Bagalkot | Sugarcane |
| Mandya | Sugarcane |
| Mysore | Sugarcane |
| Chamrajnagar | Sugarcane |
| Bidar | Sugarcane |
| Raichur | Groundnut |
| Gulbarga | Groundnut |
| Koppal | Groundnut |
| Vijayapura | Groundnut |
| Challekere | Groundnut |
| Ramdurga | Groundnut |
| Hubli | Soybean |
| Kalaghatagi | Soybean |
| Kodagu (Coorg) | Coffee |
| Chikmagalur | Coffee |
| Hassan | Coffee |
Utilization of Crop Residues at the Farmer’s Level in Karnataka
- Essential Usage for Livestock and Fertilizer
- Crop residues from Bajra, Gram, Groundnut, Jowar, Maize, and Moong are widely used as cattle feed.
- Residues of Arhar, Bajra, Dry Chilies, Bengal Gram, Groundnut, Jowar, Maize, Moong, Onion, and Sunflower are utilized for preparing compost fertilizers.
- Specific Usage in Construction
Arhar residue is often used for thatching roofs and constructing small huts. - Fuel Usage for Domestic Needs
Farmers commonly use stalks of Arhar, Cotton, and Sunflower as fuel for domestic cooking. - Field Preparation through Residue Burning
Burning of Paddy and Wheat stubbles is a common practice to prepare fields quickly for the next crop cycle. - Commercial Applications
Farmers generate income by selling crop residues to briquetting or biomass plants, adding economic value to agricultural waste.
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