Agricultural residues as a viable source of sustainable biofuel

Population growth induced rapid utilization of fossil fuels, which brought about a significant global energy crisis. Harnessing agricultural waste to produce biofuels is a feasible alternative to accommodate energy demands in an eco-friendly manner. Agricultural waste contributes significantly to solid waste produced globally, in turn causing environmental pollution and raising human health issues due to improper management. Agro-waste produces greener products and is a solution to solid waste management. The agro-wastes are abundant, inexpensive, and renewable feedstocks for biofuel production and would provide numerous environmental and socioeconomic benefits. Agro-wastes includes nonedible parts of the plant, such as stems, roots, leaves, husks, bagasse, and seed pods. Conversion of these agro-wastes into eco-friendly products has significant potential in minimizing fossil fuel consumption. Various techniques such as fermentation, aerobic and anaerobic digestion, direct combustion, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), pyrolysis, and gasification to convert agro-waste into value-added products are discussed in this chapter. A techno-economic analysis is presented to assess the economic feasibility of bioenergy production from agro-wastes and the efficient utilization of available resources. Agro-wastes biorefineries will ensure a viable, sustainable, and economical approach to complete conversion of agro-wastes into biofuels and biochemicals, especially in developing countries.