Key Questions Answered in this Section
- What are the major crops contributing to biomass feedstock production in West Bengal?
- Which regions in West Bengal are known for cultivation of prominent crops?
- Which types of biomass residues are generated in West Bengal?
- What are the biomass clusters in West Bengal?
- How is the biomass supply chain in West Bengal?
- How much rice straw is generated in West Bengal?
- How much rice husk is generated in West Bengal?
- How much maize cob and husk is generated in West Bengal?
- How much mustard stalk is generated in West Bengal?
West Bengal comprises a mix of urban and rural regions, with the top urban areas being Kolkata, Asansol, Siliguri, Durgapur, Bardhaman, English Bazar, Baharampur, Habra, Kharagpur, and Shantipur. Understanding the biomass supply chain in West Bengal is crucial for optimizing the utilization of agri residues and enhancing the state’s bioenergy potential.
Major Crops Grown
For West Bengal, rice and tobacco were listed among the top crops in biomass feedstock tables:
| Crop | Production (Million Tons) |
| Tobacco | 20 |
| Rice | 16 |
| Jute & Mesta | 8.6 |
| Maize | 2.6 |
| Mustard | 0.75 |
| Lentil | 0.13 |
The cultivation of these crops results in substantial biomass feedstock, contributing significantly to West Bengal’s bioeconomy.
Residue Generation
| Crop | Residue Parts | Production (Million Tons) |
| Rice | Straw, husk | 26.8 |
| Maize | Cob, husk | 0.78 |
| Mustard | Stalk | – |
Efficient management of these crop residues is essential for developing a sustainable biomass supply chain in West Bengal.
Significant Regions of Availability
Key regions within West Bengal for crop production are:
- Tobacco: Murshidabad, Malda, Cooch Bihar, Birbhum
- Rice: Midnapore, Bardhaman, Dinajpur, South 24 Parganas, Birbhum, Bankura, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Hooghly, Nadia
- Maize: Nadia, Malda, Murshidabad, South Dinajpur, Darjeeling
- Mustard: Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Howrah, Malda
Identifying these biomass clusters enables targeted strategies for biomass feedstock collection and utilization.
Prominent Crops in Different Regions of West Bengal
| Region | Prominent Crops |
| Murshidabad | Tobacco, Rice, Maize |
| Malda | Tobacco, Maize, Mustard |
| Cooch Bihar | Tobacco, Mustard, Paddy, Jute |
| Birbhum | Tobacco, Rice, Wheat |
| Midnapore | Rice, Oilseeds, Sugarcane |
| Bardhaman | Rice, Wheat, Mustard |
| Dinajpur (North & South) | Rice, Maize, Mustard |
| South 24 Parganas | Rice, Wheat, Black Gram |
| Bankura | Rice, Wheat, Mustard, Potato |
| Burdwan | Rice, Jute, Sugarcane |
| Hooghly | Rice, Potato, Banana, Onion |
| Nadia | Rice, Maize, Mustard, Tomato |
| Darjeeling | Maize, Tea, Coffee, Cardamom |
| Alipurduar | Mustard, Rice, Jute |
| Howrah | Mustard, Paddy, Jute, Potato |
Each region’s unique crop profile contributes to the diversity of agricultural residues, impacting the overall biomass availability in West Bengal.
Utilization of Crop Residues at the Farmer’s Level in West Bengal
- Field Preparation through Residue Burning
Crop residues from Rice, Wheat, and Soybean are often burned in open fields to quickly prepare the land for future sowing with minimal effort. - Fuel Usage for Domestic Purposes
Residues from Jute, Mesta, and Sunflower are commonly used as fuel for household cooking and heating. - Commercial Applications
Farmers generate additional income by selling crop residues to briquetting or biomass plants, contributing to sustainable waste management and energy production.
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