Biomass Processing Technology for Converting Crops Residues into Biofuel: Pak-Turkiye Perspectives

Abstract

Globally, climate change and global warming have adversely influenced the functioning and productivity of all sectors which have compromised the food security, sustainability of farming systems and means of livelihood. The open field burning of residues or leftovers of crops such as maize, wheat, cotton, rice and sugarcane are causing environmental degradation by contributing greenhouse gases emission from agricultural fields. The net result is incidence of frequent diseases, droughts, floods and heat waves along with persistent poor air quality owing to prevalence of smog. Up till now, no legislation has remained effective in preventing farmers from clearing the fields through burning of crop left-overs and this scenario necessitates development of sustainable crop residues management strategies which are not only low-tech but also impart some marketable worth to these left-overs. The conversion of biopolymers of cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose and lignocellulosic biomass might be utilized for biofuel production. However, presence of carbohydrates prevents effective fermentation and there is dire need to develop an effective protocol for separating them from crops wastes in order to prepare biofuel. An amalgamation of engineering-cum-socio-environmental approaches might serve as a potent strategy to combat climate change and environmental degradation along with providing economical biofuel