Utilising recyclable and environmentally sustainable charcoal briquette-producing technology to empower women

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Dr Daya Srivastava has developed a recyclable and eco-friendly charcoal briquettes production technology to promote the use of agricultural waste as wealth and to create employment for women in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh. A charcoal briquette is a compressed block of coal dust or other combustible biomass material (e.g., charcoal, sawdust, wood chips, peat, or paper) used to start a fire as fuel and kindling. These briquettes are made from a variety of major and minor ingredients, including 70% charcoal (primarily kiln-processed black wood charcoal), 2-3% white ash, 5-7% binder, and accelerant.

Given the availability of agricultural waste and the market demand for these briquettes, Krishi Vigyan Kendra trained women from the Swayam SahayataSamooh in the production of charcoal briquettes. These briquettes are preferred over lumpy charcoal for a variety of reasons, including their high combustion value, longer burning time, and uniform and stable burning process. They are also smokeless, easy to transport, less expensive than lumpy charcoal, and simple to use. The implementation of this technology has resulted in the generation of employment and income. As a result, their livelihood and the quality of education provided to children have improved.

“We learned how to make charcoal owing to the training provided by Krishi Vigyan Kendra. We produce 40-50 kg of charcoal per day in 4-5 hours. We now have a market for charcoal, which helps to improve the overall business and increase income. With increased income, we can provide quality education to our children”, said Ms Sunita, the beneficiary.