National Seminar on Biomass Supply Chain Management held to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing

Shri Pritpal Singh, the Guest of Honour, highlighted key challenges such as storage space, supply logistics, and leakage management.

A one-day “National Seminar on Biomass Supply Chain Management: Challenges, Opportunities, and Developments” was held on September 5, 2024, at the MGSIPA Complex in Chandigarh. The event, organized by the Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), Kapurthala—an autonomous institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India—focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities in the efficient management of biomass supply chains (BSC) in India. The seminar aimed to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing to develop cost-effective and efficient biomass supply chains, essential for India's transition to a circular bio-economy.

The seminar brought together government officials, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and researchers to exchange insights and best practices in biomass supply chain management, highlighting its importance for the success of bioenergy programs in the country.

The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Satish Upadhyay, Mission Director of SAMARTH (Sustainable Agrarian Mission on the Use of Agri-Residue in Thermal Power Plants), Ministry of Power, Government of India. Shri Pritpal Singh, Executive Director of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST), and Dr. G. Sridhar, Director General of SSS-NIBE, were also present as Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker, respectively.

In his address, Shri Satish Upadhyay emphasized the need to view biomass supply chain management from the demand side, underscoring the importance of creating demand to establish market-driven mechanisms for biomass offtake. He also spoke about the environmental and social benefits of biomass utilization and the success of the SAMARTH Mission's biomass co-firing initiative, which is increasing biomass use in power generation.

Shri Pritpal Singh, the Guest of Honour, highlighted key challenges such as storage space, supply logistics, and leakage management. He stressed the importance of using modern bioenergy pathways to harness biomass's potential and making it available at the lowest possible cost to ensure economic viability for industries.

Dr. G. Sridhar, Director General of SSS-NIBE, highlighted the significance of efficient biomass supply chains for the success of bioenergy programs. He also shared updates on SSS-NIBE’s research in the bioenergy sector, reinforcing the critical role supply chain management plays in advancing bioenergy initiatives in the country.

The seminar also featured a presentation by Mr. Maganbir Singh from PSCST, who discussed the challenges of paddy utilization in Punjab and potential pathways to utilize this biomass resource effectively.

The day-long seminar explored various aspects of biomass supply chain management, providing participants with valuable insights to address the challenges and opportunities associated with the sector.