Bioconversion of Organic Residues for Rural Communities (UNU, 1979): Indian experience with treated straw as feed: Summary

Bioconversion of Organic Residues for Rural Communities (UNU, 1979)

Indian experience with treated straw as feed

		(introduction...)
		Introduction
		Experience with straw treatment
		Field testing and demonstration of straw treatment
		General considerations
		Summary
		Annex 1. The energy efficiency of the two-stage, feed-fuel processing of straw in indian villages
		Annex 2. Method of calculating the value presented in table 2 for the efficiency of naoh energy usage
		Annex 3. Recommendations to farmers on the treatment of straw
		Annex 4. Calculated efficiency of milk production by straw-fed village buffaloes
		References
		Discussion summary

Summary

Indian experience with alkali treatment of straw is reviewed. Earlier experiments with the Beckmann treatment of wheat and paddy straws confirmed European work with respect to the effectiveness of the method. It was also found to be profitable to treat straw under village conditions, but because suitable extension machinery and concepts were lacking, it was not popularized. Scarcity of water was another limiting factor. There have been recent experiments with newer methods, but it must be determined whether they will be economical under village conditions. A method of on-farm testing and demonstration is suggested to accomplish this, and at the same time popularize straw treatment.

An analysis of the energy cost of straw treatment with alkali under Indian conditions suggests that it may be unacceptably high. Alkali treatment also poses a distinct pillution problem in India. The rapid development of alternative methods is therefore urged. The use of wood rotting fungi or ammonia (straw treated in silos with urea) is suggested, as well as an effort to breed cereal varieties with highly digestible straw.