Agriculture in the state of Rajasthan in the north of India produces one crop only – mustard.<br />The land is too hot and too dry for most other crops. The husks and other plant residues, which were previously either burned are an excellent source of renewable fuel.

It comprises the construction of an 8 MW biomass power plant fueled with mustard crop residues. Mustard is one of the few crops growing well in this area of high summer temperatures and low precipitation. Supply is and will remain abundantly available in the region around the power plant. Until now, harvest waste was simply burnt in-situ because there was no use for them, often leading to strong local air pollution.

Today, farmers collect the waste and deliver it to the power plant. This creates a new income source for them in an area where agriculture often is economically marginal. There is no minimum amount for deliveries allowing even smallhold farmers to participate in the scheme. Several collection centers have been constructed to reduce logistical efforts for these small suppliers in particular.

The development of rural areas today is inextricably entwined with energy. Between 1995 and 2005 the per capita primary energy consumption in India rose by more than 50%. This trend is nonetheless burdened by tens of millions of rural inhabitants living in very modest conditions. Any significant improvement of their livelihood will also increase energy demand. For the sake of India and indeed the planet as a whole it is essential that this demand is met as sustainably as possible. The use of harvest residues in biomass plants is one small step in this direction.