New Delhi: Every winter, smoke from crop residue burning in Punjab, Haryana and other northern states blankets large parts of India, causing severe air pollution and health concerns. However, experts believe the same agricultural waste that contributes to smog could soon become a valuable resource for farmers through the production of green hydrogen, a clean fuel widely regarded as a key energy source of the future.
As India accelerates its transition towards renewable energy, researchers and policymakers are exploring ways to use agricultural residue such as paddy straw, wheat stalks and maize waste to produce green hydrogen. The technology could not only help reduce pollution but also create new income opportunities for farmers.
What Is Green Hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind power. Unlike conventional hydrogen production, which relies on fossil fuels and releases carbon dioxide, green hydrogen generates little to no greenhouse gas emissions.
India has identified green hydrogen as a major pillar of its clean energy strategy and is investing heavily in expanding production capacity over the coming decade.
Experts say the fuel has the potential to transform several sectors, including agriculture, by reducing dependence on imported fuels and creating cleaner alternatives for farming operations.
Turning Crop Residue Into Revenue
One of the most promising applications of green hydrogen for Indian agriculture involves converting crop residue into clean energy.
Through biomass to hydrogen technologies, agricultural waste can be processed to generate hydrogen and other useful energy products. Instead of burning leftover crop residue, farmers could sell it to energy producers or participate in local hydrogen generation projects.
This could create a new source of revenue from materials that are often considered waste. In regions where stubble burning remains a major challenge, the approach could also help reduce air pollution while supporting rural economies.
Boosting Fertiliser Security
Green hydrogen may also play a significant role in fertiliser production. India currently depends heavily on imported natural gas and ammonia to manufacture nitrogen-based fertilisers.
Hydrogen can be combined with nitrogen from the atmosphere to produce green ammonia, a key ingredient used in fertiliser manufacturing. Producing ammonia domestically using renewable energy could reduce dependence on imports and make fertiliser supplies more stable.
For farmers, this could mean improved availability of fertilisers and reduced vulnerability to global energy price fluctuations.
Access to dependable electricity remains a challenge in many agricultural regions. Green hydrogen can serve as an energy storage solution by storing excess solar and wind power for later use.
Hydrogen based systems could provide reliable electricity for irrigation pumps, cold storage facilities and rural microgrids, even when renewable energy generation is low. This would help reduce dependence on diesel generators and improve energy security for farming communities.
The technology could also support the development of hydrogen-powered tractors, harvesters and other agricultural machinery. Unlike diesel engines, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce no harmful exhaust emissions and can be refuelled quickly.