Logistics Model for Cotton Stalk Supply for Preparation of Briquettes and Pellets

Description and Salient Features :

Lack of viable logistic model for supply of chipped cotton stalks to the industries was the cause for non - utilization of cotton stalks for industrial applications. Traditional method of uprooting cotton stalks with a traditional tool (chimta) was very tedious and labour intensive process. Hence, it was not viable for supply of cotton stalks for any industrial use. Therefore, viable logistics model have been developed for supply of cotton stalks for pelleting, briquetting and power generation industries. Developed model comprises of uprooting of cotton stalk from field using a tractor operated V-type up-rooter followed by sun drying and shredding by a tractor operated shredder. Transportation of the chipped cotton stalk to the briquetting and pelleting plant within the radius of 50 km.

Stakeholders : Farmers, Pellet and briquette manufacturers, Power generation industries

Benefit to Stakeholders :

Additional income of Rs. 1500-2000 per tonne to the cotton farmers, thus contribute to doubling famers’ income
It resulted in creation of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for rural youths in cotton growing regions.
Around 50 briquetting and pelleting plants based on cotton stalks have been established in and around Nagpur.

Cost :

Total cost of entire operation (uprooting, collection, chipping and transportation) worked out to be about Rs. 1000 per tonne. Chipped cotton stalk fetches price of Rs. 2500-3000 per tonne at factory gate.

Status of popularisation :

Cotton stalk supply chain model was demonstrated to farmers and stakeholders, pelleting and briquetting and power generation industries in Vidharbha region of Maharashtra through awareness programs, demonstrations, seminars and technology melas.
Six group of farmers from Patansawangi and Mohopa villages of Nagpur district adopted the developed logistics in the last season and successfully supplied about 5000 tonnes of cotton stalk chips each to a briquetting industry.
Skill development programmes especially for utilization of cotton stalks were conducted for farmers deputed by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and under SMART Cotton Project of Maharashtra. Popularized through MGMG programme
Around 50 briquetting and pelleting plants based on cotton stalks have been established in and around Nagpur.