In India, while there are already seven biomass power plants in the Punjab state, the minister told Economic Times that they are now taking some of the 20 million tons of paddy straw produced each year in the state and converting it to biogas, bio-CNG or bio-ethanol. The state has entered into an agreement with four big companies, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation, Verbio India Private Limited and Rika Biofuel Development Limited, and started work on setting up the plants.
The minister also said that the benefits are many, including more local employment to the area, less pollution from crop residue, and farmers will also profit economically.