Farm to Bioenergy: Predicaments, Pragmatism, Propositions and Promise

Bharat is at the cusp of both Energy and Industrial Revolutions, and both seem entwined in many ways, to support a 'Just Energy Transition' and shaping Bharat as a 'Global Manufacturing Hub'; besides being a 'Trustworthy Booming Market'. Bharat seeks Global Collaborations and Partnerships in many domains to enhance its National Power, with the case for Co-Designing and Co-Development supporting the 'Vocal for Local' and also 'Make in India for the World' curating ample room for growth and expansion with help of Global South and beyond.

- By COLONEL ROHIT DEV, Deputy Director General, Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) & Managing Director, Reveille Energy

In the Energy Realm, while the Predicaments are many with challenges and threats in Energy Security, Bioenergy is the most 'Homegrown' Proposition, which needs Pragmatism to build its Core Strength, the Rural Bharat and its key component, the Farmer. Farming connects to Energy through Bioenergy and there is much Promise when we set course to harness this Pathway, which is slated to be sizeable at more than 15 per cent of energy need of Bharat, through the target of NetZero2070, when population of Bharat is slated to be around 1.85 Billion Smiling Citizens, who would have been through the phase of ViksitBharat2047.

The Value Chain of Bioenergy has seeds in the Farming and fruits in the Economy of Bharat. There is an inherent value proposition to optimise farming, scale up energy plantation, build infrastructure, imbibe technology and innovation, facilitate innovative finance, diversify through optimisation of intermediaries and products, and more that global Collaboratives and Partnership will be pragmatic to meet promises, not only for Bharat for world at large which is keen to join hands to work toward Energy Transition and Climate Change while some want to deviate from the Mission to curate a 'Better Planet of Future'.

What's in the way of Opportunities?

Key challenges that we face as Bharat, pertaining to growth of Bioenergy Space and allied Energy and Food Security are as follows: -
a) Rural migration to Urban Centres which is currently at an alarming 4.3 per cent per annum.

b) Inclusivity of women, specially abled etc. with Energy Access and Personal Opportunities.

c) Social disparities and marginalised benefits in growth and economic development.

d) Infrastructure growth and resilience.

e) Technology and Innovation with limited R&D.

f) Innovative Finance with benefits to targeted sections of society and stakeholders who need it.