The national capital of India, Delhi is mostly characterized by immense air pollution and one of the reasons was the burning of agricultural waste or stubble by farmers in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
There have been several attempts by the government to engage the above mentioned states in India to find solutions or end this menace. This however keeps and continuous to contribute to the several factors of air pollution in the country.
It is for this reason some students of the MG Science College in Ahmedabad invented a novel way to halt the growing increase of the burning of agricultural waste. They believe, waste from agriculture can be properly managed such that it will not add up to the causes of air pollution in the country.
The students introduced an agricultural waste management system whereby by-products of agri-produce are used as an excellent manure to grow mushrooms. In this method, that the students have devised, they use rice, wheat, and sugarcane barn. They chop them into small pieces and then add water to it. These ingredients are then kept in a recyclable plastic bag and which is allowed to ferment for about 2 weeks. Then, this product is ready to be used as a manure or fertilizer. In around two more weeks and after getting water and air, the product has edible mushrooms growing out of it.
In fact, they have solved two problems with one solution: agricultural waste management and growing of mushrooms. Thus, the production of compost as well as mushrooms through the degradation of waste. The agricultural waste that they worked on has mostly been sugarcane and wheat.
Experts have lauded their efforts and say that this is the perfect season to grow mushrooms since one does not need to create or maintain optimal temperature. This is also the easiest method that farmers can learn and adopt quickly and stay away from stubble burning which causes such a lot of pollution.
Source: greenubuntu
