The production of methane gas (CH4) from the anaerobic digestion process, which takes place when organic matter such as animal waste, agricultural waste, water waste, and food waste is broken down without the presence of oxygen, is known as the biogas plant. This technique has been around for a very long time.
Gas is the last byproduct of a biogas plant, while bioslurry is the other substance that remains in the biodigester.
The bioslurry is considered as a waste of biogas, however that slurry contains a variety of micro and macro nutrients that can support plant growth and enhance the soil.
Knowing this, Biowave Technology, a waste management organisation based in India, developed an innovative and cost-effective advanced technology to convert the waste slurry from the biogas plant into nutrient rich organic fertilisers. They provide the process and premix material to convert biogas plant waste into organic fertiliser for agriculture use.
“Our startup is focused on the proper usage of bio slurry in agriculture,” says, CEO, Prakash Vaghasiya.
Why they do, what they do
For operating a biogas plant, a significant amount of capital is required, and it takes a while before the investment is returned. Because of this, owners of biogas plants have to endure losses with regard to very little profit or no profit at all during the initial years of operation.
Moreover, some biogas plant owners don’t know how to utilise the bioslurry properly, while some of these owners sell their bioslurry to farmers at extremely low prices, and the farmers use it directly on their farms, which may or may not produce the desired results.
“For this problem Biowave provides a solution to the biogas plant owners by applying advanced technology on the separated liquid and solid biogas waste. This technology adds value to the waste product,” explains Prakash.
He continues, “Afterwards biogas plant owners can sell the products to farmers and can generate revenue out of it or at least generate income from the biogas liquid waste/slurry.”
Biogas waste slurry is a rich source of enzymes, which stimulates crop development.
India owns more than 30 Lakh+ various size biogas plants. As a result, a massive quantity of enzymatic slurry is produced daily.
“With an annual demand growth rate of 15%, the market for organic fertilisers is expanding steadily. By providing technology and market linkage to sell organic fertiliser to biogas plant owners. We envision a sustainable village by generating revenue from biogas plant waste with more benefit to organic agriculture,” adds Prakash.
Facing the setbacks
However, before all this, the team came across many challenges, especially during ideation stages. Some included: Creating process for biogas waste slurry separation, validation of quality testing of biogas waste slurry and formation of organic fertiliser which can add value to biogas waste slurry.
Long road ahead
Biowave also has four products in its portfolio, two of which, PROM – Phosphorus Rich Organic Manure and Fermented Crop Care Products – are made from solid waste. Fermented Root Care product and Fermented Crop Care product are the remaining two products made from the liquid part.
Moreover, they were recognised by Startup India and have also successfully transferred their technology to the National Dairy Development Board.
Talking about the future ambitions for the brand, Prakash concludes, “We aim to see ourselves in the agriculture value chain by using a good quality fertiliser. And also become a leading manufacturing company for organic fertiliser, as well as an industrial leading supplier.”
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