Renowned Indian chemical engineer Padma Bhushan Dr J B Joshi urged harnessing crop residue to generate sustainable energy, a move that could slash air pollution in northern India and add up to Rs 5,00,000 annually to farmers’ earnings.

India produces about 600 million tonnes of crop residue yearly, much of it burned in fields and contributing to toxic smog in Delhi and surrounding areas, Joshi told a conference on Energy Conservation Day organised by the Progressive Chambers of Commerce.

“Converting this biomass into coal and gas via modern indigenous technology would cut reliance on imported fossil fuels,” Joshi said at the “Viksit Bharat 2047” event. He cited a pilot project in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, turning cashew waste into energy as proof of concept.

The initiative aligns with India’s push for renewable sources amid rising energy demands. Panel moderator Dr A K Nayak warned that achieving developed-nation status by 2047 requires 40 times current energy output, all sustainably sourced.

Somaiya University head Prof Ajay Kapoor stressed pairing tech investments with everyday conservation to ease citizens’ lives.

The event launched the book “Food Security by Radiation – The Unreasoned Fear for Irradiated Food” by Arun K Nayak, Satendra Gautam, Ravindra Bansal and Samyak Munot, debunking myths on food irradiation.