"Reliance Industries to Invest ₹100 Crore in ICAR Project for Biogas Feedstock Development"

In a significant move to foster corporate involvement in agricultural research, Reliance Industries (RIL) is set to invest ₹100 crore in a project under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The investment aims to develop 11 varieties of grass species that can be used as feedstock for producing compressed biogas. Sources indicate that RIL is likely to sign an agreement with ICAR’s Indian Grassland & Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) in Jhansi to support the project.

The five-year project will receive ₹85 crore from RIL, excluding GST. While the patent for the developed grass species will remain with IGFRI, RIL will have the flexibility to use the species for commercial or contract farming at suitable locations.

One of the key varieties in development is the Bajra-Napier hybrid, a cross between bajra (millet) and Napier grass, which has shown high yield potential but has not been widely adopted by farmers due to the absence of an assured market. An IGFRI agricultural scientist explained that the hybrid’s high yield makes it ideal for industrial use, but farmers have been hesitant to adopt it without guaranteed demand.

While developing these fodder crops is not technically challenging, maintaining consistent yields in both rainfed and irrigated conditions across Kharif and Rabi seasons presents a challenge. According to IGFRI, the average yield of the Bajra-Napier hybrid in southern India is about 250 tonnes per hectare annually, which could increase to 300-350 tonnes with better management. In northern regions, however, yield is lower, averaging 70-100 tonnes per hectare due to colder temperatures, but scientists are working on developing cold-resistant varieties.

Farmers in southern India typically harvest Bajra-Napier hybrid crops up to nine times per year, with each cutting producing plants that reach 9-10 feet in height. If the harvest is delayed, the plant can grow 12-13 feet tall. However, despite the high potential for earnings—farmers can make ₹12.5 lakh per hectare annually if they receive ₹5,000 per tonne—there are challenges such as the need for irrigation and manual labor, as no mechanized harvesting methods have yet been developed.

The project marks a significant step in the development of sustainable agricultural practices and biogas feedstock, aligning with both economic and environmental goals.

HBL