C.V. Patil, the former Director of Education, University of Agriculture Sciences, Raichur (UASR) said that despite India producing the highest quantity of fly-ash every year through thermal plants in the world, least focus was given on making use of this by-product for other purposes.
Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, he said that annually, India produces over 256 million tonnes of flyash, which according to him, is the highest in any country from thermal plants for generating electricity.
“But, unlike other countries, India uses only around 55 per cent of the by-product in various fields such as in cement, brick industry, while less than two per cent is being used in agriculture”, Dr. Patil said.
He informed that by 2020, the production of flyash would reach 450 million tonnes while by 2030, it would be nearly 900 million tonnes.
He said that the reason for the higher production of flyash was due to low quality of coal available in India which generates more flyash.
“Yet, this limitation could be transformed into advantage if the government lay emphasis on making use of by-product in various sectors”, he said.
Dr. Patil said that though close to 50 per cent flyash is used by cement companies and 15 per cent for filling the used mines, only two per cent is used in agriculture, despite having its numerous advantages in this field.
He said that even the Union government proposes to increase the use of flyash in agriculture from 2 per cent to 10 per cent by 2020.
Claiming that in Raichur district alone, flyash is being used in some 500-acre land for agriculture which according to him was giving encouraging results, he however said that owing to heavy transport cost, the farmers were reluctant to make use of the substance in their filed.
He however said that if the government offers some subsidy, the farmers would come forward to use that in their fields.
B.L. Patil, District President of Zilla Krishika Samaj, who was also present, said that they would not only urge the taluk office bearers to encourage the farmers to use flyash in their fields, but would also meet the Agriculture Minister, Krishna Byregowda to announce programmes for popularising this by-product in agriculture.
Vishwanath Bhavi, president Bijapur Broadgauge Committee and office bearers of various organisations were present.
