Australia plans to turn corn waste into Biomass for improvement of agricultural land in Siem Reap

• Sommana Yan
• 25 May 2024
• Local News
• 2992 Views

Australia’s Agribusiness Asian Group (AAG) plans to process agricultural waste from its corn crop (corn stover) into biomass to store carbon for 1,000 years. This initiative is part of the inauguration of a 1,000-hectare crop farm in Siem Reap Province. The decision was made during a meeting between Mr. Prak David, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, and an Australian delegation on May 23, 2024.

During the meeting, AAG expressed its intention to research and invest in technology to convert unburned agricultural waste into biogas. The biomass will be burned at 600 degrees Celsius to achieve a high biomass level, and the biogas produced will capture and store carbon for up to 1,000 years. This stored carbon can be used on land to improve soil conditions, including increasing soil pH, enhancing the soil environment, improving nutrient storage capacity, and promoting soil microbial activity.

Furthermore, Mr. Prak David suggested that AAG should explore the conversion of agricultural waste into rice, especially straw, and other crops that could be used for bio-recycling.

In addition to cultivating maize on 1,000 hectares of land in the first phase, AAG may consider expanding further if a clear economic study indicates that maize can provide higher profits than other crops.

It’s important to note that this project will cover an area of about 1,000 hectares over 5 years, focusing on cultivating corn and processing its agricultural waste (corn stover) into biogas. The project will be equipped with the latest agricultural technology and will be in Chea Sman Village, Meanchey Commune, Prasat Bakong District, Siem Reap Province. (Read more)

• Technology and Engineering
• Energy and Environment
• Agriculture and Aquaculture Project