Paddy Straw, Once A Waste Problem, Now A Source Of Biofuel & Income For Farmers: Aroma AAT Basmati Rice

India’s agricultural landscape has changed significantly over the past few decades. While advancements in technology, government initiatives, and sustainability efforts have improved farming practices, challenges like water scarcity, residue management, and the decline of traditional rice varieties persist.

One major issue is the cost and accessibility of machinery for paddy residue removal. Despite alternatives like biogas production and sustainable waste management, many farmers still resort to stubble burning due to financial and logistical constraints. Meanwhile, the market is shifting toward high-yield hybrid rice varieties, impacting the availability of traditional grains.

In an interview with ResponsibleUs, Mayank Garg, Director of Aroma AAT Basmati Rice, discusses the evolving challenges in Indian agriculture, the impact of environmental changes, and the future of traditional rice varieties in domestic and export markets.

Excerpts:

What challenges do Indian farmers face today compared to the past?
Over the past 20–30 years, Indian farmers have seen both advancements and ongoing challenges. While new machinery and techniques have improved efficiency, issues like residue management and access to sustainable solutions remain significant.

One major shift has been the introduction of biogas plants, which capture paddy straw and husk, reducing air pollution by preventing open burning. In regions with biogas plants, pollution levels have dropped considerably. Earlier, farmers struggled to dispose of paddy straw, often resorting to burning, but innovations in converting it into biofuels and byproducts now provide an additional income source.

Using paddy straw for gas production instead of burning has been a game-changer, both environmentally and financially. However, residue removal machinery remains expensive, making burning the more accessible option for many farmers.

Do you have data on how many farmers use machinery for residue removal versus those who still burn it?
Currently, comprehensive data on this remains limited, but it is clear that a significant number of farmers still rely on burning as a cost-effective solution. While some have adopted machinery for residue removal, high costs and limited availability remain barriers.

Government initiatives have introduced rental models where private entities lease out these machines, but accessibility is still a challenge. In areas where biogas plants and sustainable waste management solutions are available, the adoption of alternative methods has increased. However, a large portion of farmers, especially smallholders, continue to burn crop residue due to financial and logistical constraints.

How are you managing the situation? Have you seen any decrease in production or changes due to water scarcity?
Drought conditions vary across regions, but environmental disturbances, including pollution, are causing ecological imbalances. In Rajasthan and other areas, changing weather patterns have impacted agriculture.

Agriculture is essential for sustaining our growing population, and with rising food demand, improving farming practices is crucial to ensure self-sufficiency.

Water scarcity remains a challenge, particularly for rice cultivation, which requires significant water. However, modern irrigation techniques are helping reduce consumption. While adoption is still limited, these methods are proving effective. That said, high-quality rice still needs substantial water to grow.

How can consumers identify traditional, high-quality rice versus hybrid varieties in the market?
In markets like Germany, the demand for fine-quality rice is high. Traditional varieties had distinct characteristics—thicker grains, better cooking texture, and a natural fragrance. However, their availability is now very limited, and they may not be easily accessible to domestic consumers.

Buyers typically source rice from millers or intermediaries, but often, what they receive is not the authentic, high-quality traditional variety. Identifying genuine traditional rice requires knowledge of its grain structure, aroma, and cooking properties.

Why has rice quality deteriorated, and why is traditional rice no longer widely available?
The issue is not with the farmers but with economic viability. Traditional rice requires more effort to cultivate but yields lower returns. Its price is high, and production is limited, leading many farmers to switch to high-yield hybrid varieties.

Traditional Basmati is still grown, but its market availability has declined significantly. While some exporters continue to deal in high-quality rice, increasing export demand and shifting farmer preferences have reduced traditional rice production.

What initiatives have you taken for cost-cutting?
We continuously work to improve efficiency and reduce losses at every stage of our process. By installing new systems and investing in R&D, we maximize yield and enhance production quality.

Cost-cutting isn't about a single big step but optimizing every small process. In rice milling, for instance, multiple steps—grinding, classification, milling, cleaning, and sorting—present potential loss points. We analyze each stage to minimize waste.

During cleaning, foreign particles are sometimes removed along with rice, causing unnecessary loss. To prevent this, we have installed machines that reduce waste. By tracking data and analyzing losses at each stage, we adjust processes to improve efficiency.

This is an ongoing effort. We continuously refine our processes to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal wastage.

You claim to be net zero. Do you have certification or proof to verify this?
We track our carbon emissions and electricity production. For example, if our solar plant generates 200 megawatts and we use only 100 kilowatts, we save 100 kilowatt-hours, contributing to our net-zero goal.

Our solar plant is equipped with software that monitors energy generation. Based on our calculations, we have saved approximately 16,422 metric tons of carbon emissions. Our net-zero status is backed by real data.

We realized we could obtain official certification for this. While we don't have it yet, we are in the process of acquiring it and expect to receive it in the coming months.

How do you ensure the long-term survival and maintenance of the trees you plant?
We collaborate with organisations like Gaushalas, providing 20,000 to 30,000 saplings. Over 10 to 12 years, these trees mature, generating timber and revenue. Our afforestation efforts balance commercial and public service goals.

We also plant trees along highways and conduct monthly inspections to replace any saplings that don't survive. The project is overseen by our directors, who are deeply committed to environmental sustainability. Sustainability has always been a priority for our family.

Additionally, we are exploring zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technology. The water we extract is already clean and tested, and we are working on ways to reuse it. If successful, this will lead to significant water savings.