New Delhi: In the heartlands of Indian agriculture, where small and marginal landholdings dominate the landscape, the challenge of managing post-harvest waste looms large. Traditionally, crops grown on these lands generate significant amounts of waste, such as straws and stalks, with a high Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C/N) ratio, posing a formidable challenge in their effective utilization. Conventional methods often fall short in addressing these challenges effectively.
In response to this pressing need, the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology and Merino Industries developed “बजरंगबाण”: a patented microbial consortium engineered to address the specific challenges of agro-waste management. This innovative solution aims to tailor the C/N ratio of agricultural waste through the use of fibrinolytic enzymes, thereby softening the lignocellulosic biomass for efficient utilization.
As a result of their joint collaboration VNIT was recognized with the first prize (Rs 1,00,000) at the prestigious New Generation Ideation Contest 2023, amidst over 600 proposals from across India including the prestigious IITs & NITs institutes.
Merino Industries, in collaboration VNIT & with other partners, conducted extensive trails related to biogas production and paddy straw composting, validating the efficacy and scalability of the innovation.
“बजरंगबाण” is a game-changer with diverse applications:
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It accelerates biogas production, resulting in enhanced, enriched, and faster biogas generation.
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Traditional composting methods, which typically take 45 days, are revolutionized with “बजरंगबाण”, reducing the process to just 15 days,
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Fortified fodder is produced, resulting in a 5% increase in weight gain in goats and a 5% enhanced milk yield in cattle, thus boosting agricultural productivity.
