Lok Sabha Question No. 4235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Bio-coal Production
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4235

## ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## BIO-COAL PRODUCTION

## 4235.  SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY :

## Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state

(a) whether any special policy, scheme or mission has been implemented by the Government to promote bio-coal/biomass-based fuel and other domestic coal production in the country;

(b) if so, the concrete steps taken by the Government thereunder for the production, technology, capacity enhancement and private/cooperative participation in bio-coal, bio- briquettes, pellets, etc.;

(c) whether these efforts have resulted in a reduction in dependence on coal imports, enhanced energy security and improved environmental impacts and if so, the details of quantitative data thereof; and

(d)  whether  any  special  initiative  has  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  additional income for farmers by encouraging bio-coal production using agricultural residues, stubble and forest-based biomass?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a)&(b): The  Government  has  undertaken  several  initiatives  to  promote  domestic  coal production as well as research and development relating to bio-coal/ biomass-based fuels.

Under the Mission Coking Coal launched by the Ministry of Coal, the Coal India Limited (CIL) has  undertaken  measures  to  enhance  domestic  coking  coal  production  and  beneficiation capacity. CIL currently operates 10 coking coal washeries with an operable capacity of 18.35 million tonnes per year (MTY) and it produced 2.4 MT of washed coking coal in FY 2024-25.

As regards bio-coal/ biomass-based fuels, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has undertaken research on the production of bio-coal (biochar) from agricultural wastes and biomass residues such as rice husk, rice straw, maize cobs, coconut shells, crop residues and farmyard manure through pyrolysis technologies. ICAR institutes, including the ICAR-Central Institute  of  Agricultural  Engineering,  Bhopal,  have  developed  biomass  pyrolysis  units  and machinery  for  converting  crop  residues  into  biochar,  thereby  enabling  value  addition  to agricultural waste. Biochar produced from such biomass typically contains high organic carbon

(about 67-89%), alkaline pH (around 8-9) and plant nutrients, and can be used both as a fuel substitute and as a soil amendment.

Further, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) has been launched by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to promote sustainable agricultural practices and  better  utilisation  of  agricultural  residues.  The  Mission  includes Per  Drop  More  Crop , Rainfed Area Development, Soil Health & Fertility programmes , as well as initiatives such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and the National Bamboo Mission to support climate-resilient agriculture and biomass generation.

(c): Most  of  the  coal  demand  in  the  country  is  met  through  indigenous  coal  production, primarily by government coal companies and supplemented by other domestic producers.

Coal imports are permitted under the Open General Licence (OGL). In 2024-25, total coal imports in the country were 243.63 MT, which represents a reduction of about 8% compared with  264.53  MT  imported  in  2023-24. Under  Mission  Coking  Coal,  domestic  coking  coal production has recorded a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 8.6%, increasing from 46.60 MT in FY 2021-22 to 59.67 MT in FY 2024-25. Supply of washed coking coal by CIL to the steel sector has also increased from 1.7 MT in FY 2021-22 to 2.4 MT in FY 202425, contributing to higher domestic coking coal utilisation.

Further, for opening new coal mines and expansion of existing projects, CIL obtains statutory  environmental  clearances  based  on  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  and implements  approved  Environmental  Management  Plans  (EMP)  to  mitigate  environmental impacts.

(d): The Government is promoting utilisation of agricultural residues and biomass for valueadded products such as bio-coal/ biochar, which can provide additional income opportunities to farmers. ICAR research programmes have demonstrated that converting crop residues and other biomass into biochar through pyrolysis technology can improve soil health, increase soil organic carbon, enhance nutrient availability and water retention, and reduce CO₂ emissions by about 50-59% compared with conventional manure application. Field trials with crops such as carrots and potatoes have shown significant yield improvements under biochar-based soil management  practices.  ICAR  institutes  are  also  conducting  training  and  capacity-building programmes for farmers and extension personnel on biochar production and utilisation, thereby encouraging  recycling  of  agricultural  residues  and  promoting  sustainable  farming  systems while creating opportunities for additional farm income.

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