Most food grain losses occur during the post-harvesting stage. The fruits and vegetables contribute to a significant amount of waste. As stated by the FAO, 20-30 per cent of fruits and vegetables are discarded as waste during postharvest handling and processing operations. The agricultural waste consists of field residues such as stems, stalks, leaves, seedpods, and process residues like husks, seeds, roots, bagasse, molasses. Waste from food processing units consists of organic residues such as fruit seeds, citrus peels, potato peels, coconut shells, wheat straw, rice husks, pomace, etc. These wastes are usually discarded in landfills sites or used in preparing compost. Due to the varied composition of cellulose, hemicelluloses, proteins, lipids, these wastes serve as a raw material for the production of biodegradable and sustainable packaging material.
Biodegradable Packaging
Packaging waste adds to a major portion of solid waste and has raised environmental concerns over the years. The development of biodegradable packaging materials from natural residues such as agricultural residues is the need of the hour. The utilisation of agricultural waste is an economical and effective step taken for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging materials. Using biodegradable packaging minimises waste and lessens the environmental consequences of using petro-chemical based synthetic packaging materials. Biodegradable films can easily disintegrate into the environment by natural factors such as microbes (bacteria, fungi, etc.) or abiotic components of the ecosystem thus having the least impact on the environment and ecosystem.
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Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de AgroSpectrum.
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Small farmers are the greatest asset to India's food security: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi centre) along with other dignitaries at the inauguration of the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists ICAE) at National Agricultural Science Centre NASC) Complex, in New Delhi on August 3, 2024.
Agri Budgeting Blues
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From the early use of fire and animal power that improved lives, to the present world with use of electricity and cleaner sustainable fuels for a multitude of purposes - energy has been the enabler of development.
Can Bioenergy Adoption End Stubble Burning Practise?
Rice is one of the primary agricultural produces in India and a major source of sustenance.
Compressed BioGas: The New Hope for Energy Independence
The global bioenergy landscape is evolving rapidly, with countries around the world recognising its potential to address climate change, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable development. India, with its abundant biomass resources and growing energy demand, is uniquely positioned to lead in the bioenergy sector, particularly in the production and utilisation of Compressed Biogas CBG). Let's delve deep as to how CBG can be a new hope for energy independence for India.
Public-Private Partnership in Bioenergy Sector
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPS) represent a collaborative approach between government entities and private sector companies to achieve goals that neither party could easily achieve alone.
