Renewable Energy as a means for Rural Livelihood in Punjab

India aims to meet half of its energy requirements from renewables and in this context, the efficient management of the abundantly available green energy source i.e. agricultural biomass in agriculture rich state of Punjab is imperative. Additionally, the strategy to combat climate change and minimizing carbon footprint includes the sustainable use of bioenergy. Use of crop residues as feedstock for generating bioenergy (SDG 7) also provide livelihood and thus economic opportunities to farmers (SDG 1) which significantly improve the food and nutrition security for the household. Primary data were collected from 60 farmers (30 adopters and 30 non adopters), 10 paddy residue collectors and 2 bioenergy power generation plants of different capacity of power generation from 2 different districts selected by using multi-stage random sampling technique through personal interview method during the agricultural year 2023–24. Both adopter and non adopter farms generated significant crop residue, with adopters producing an average of 18.62 quintals per acre and non-adopters 15.32 quintals per acre. Over 90 per cent of residue remained surplus for both the categories. Adopters primarily managed residues through removal method while non-adopters relied mainly on incorporation and partial burning. The paddy residue collectors across two selected districts i.e. Sri Muktsar Sahib and Hoshiarpur, managed 993.17 acres of paddy area on an average and baling operations averaged 390 hours over about 42 days, with a field capacity of 2.55 acres per hour, using square bales. Among different expenses, the largest share belonged to transportation in the total cost (27%). On an average, the baling of paddy straw for power generation in Punjab demonstrated it as a profitable option, with net returns of Rs. 651.98 per acre; BC ratio of 2.36; payback period of 2.59 years. However, realizing the full potential of CRM faces several challenges that must be addressed systematically to ensure long-term success. There is an urgent need for a multi-faceted approach that includes technological investment, supply chain infrastructure, financial incentives, creating awareness and regulatory support which will unlock the potential of agricultural residues as a valuable resource, providing both environmental and economic benefits.