Key Questions Answered in this Section
- What are the major crops contributing to biomass feedstock production in Kerala?
- Which regions in Kerala are known for cultivation of prominent crops?
- Which types of biomass residues are generated in Kerala?
- What are the biomass clusters in Kerala?
- How is the biomass supply chain in Kerala?
- How much arecanut husk is generated in Kerala?
- How much coffee husk is generated in Kerala?
- How much coconut husk is generated in Kerala?
Kerala comprises a mix of urban and rural regions, with the top urban areas being Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam, Thrissur, Kannur, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kottayam. Understanding the biomass supply chain in Kerala is crucial for optimizing the utilization of agri residues and enhancing the region’s bioenergy potential.
Major Crops Grown
| Crop | Production (Million Tons Per Annum) |
| Arecanut | 0.1 |
| Coffee | 0.07 |
| Coconut | 0.003 |
The cultivation of these crops results in substantial biomass feedstock, contributing significantly to Kerala’s bioeconomy.
Residue Generation
| Crop | Residue Parts | Production (Million Tons) |
| Arecanut | Husk | 0.07 |
| Coffee | Husk | 0.035 |
| Coconut | Husk | 0.002 |
Efficient management of these crop residues is essential for developing a sustainable biomass supply chain in Kerala.
Significant Regions of Availability
- Arecanut: Kasaragod, Nedumangad, and Kottayam. Malappuram
- Coffee: Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, Travancore, Nelliampathies, and Kozhikode
- Coconut: Kozhikode, Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kannur, Malappuram, Ernakulam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kasaragod, Palakkad, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta
Identifying these biomass clusters enables targeted strategies for biomass feedstock collection and utilization.
Prominent Crops in Different Regions in Kerala
Each region’s unique crop profile contributes to the diversity of agricultural residues, impacting the overall biomass availability in Kerala.
| Region | Prominent Crops |
| Kasaragod | Arecanut, Coconut |
| Nedumangad | Arecanut |
| Kottayam | Arecanut, Coconut |
| Malappuram | Arecanut, Coffee, Coconut |
| Wayanad | Coffee |
| Idukki | Coffee |
| Travancore | Coffee |
| Nelliampathies | Coffee |
| Kozhikode | Coffee, Coconut |
| Thrissur | Coconut |
| Alappuzha | Coconut |
| Kannur | Coconut |
| Ernakulam | Coconut |
| Kollam | Coconut |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Coconut |
| Palakkad | Coconut |
| Pathanamthitta | Coconut |
Utilization of Crop Residues at the Farmer’s Level in Kerala
- Essential Usage for Livestock and Fertilizer
- Residues from Banana, Paddy, and Tapioca are widely used as cattle feed.
- Residues of Arecanut, Black Pepper, Coconut Palm, and vegetable waste are converted into organic manure.
- Specific Usage in Agriculture
- Residues from Banana are utilized for organic mushroom production.
- Fuel Usage for Domestic Needs
- Residues of Arecanut and Coconut are commonly used as fuel for domestic cooking.
- Field Preparation through Residue Burning
- Residues from Black Pepper, Tapioca, and Rice are often burned in open fields to prepare the land for the next sowing season.
- Commercial Applications
Farmers generate additional income by selling crop residues to briquetting or biomass plants, creating economic value from agricultural waste.
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