A project titled 'Production of Bioenergy Plant Biomass' will be started to utilise the experience already gained to develop economically feasible process for production of biofuel from plant biomass, essentially grown on salt-affected wastelands, such as 'kallar' grass and other salt-tolerant plants.
According to Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) sources, this project is a multi-lab study in which Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Punjab University, Pakistan Commission for Scietific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) and Government College University (GCU), Lahore, are participating.
The lingo-cellulosic biomass will be converted by enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation into ethanol/methane. It will provide an alternative source of energy. Research institutions involved will be strengthened with required equipment and technical manpower.