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The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Wealth from waste: how crop residue can provide nutritious cattle fodder, make farming eco-friendly
Scientists at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here seems to have found a solution to the country's mounting problem of dealing with agriculture residue such as paddy straw and rice and wheat husk. Over the past few years, scientists at the premier institute have been working on converting rice straw and other crop residue into nutrient rich fodder for the livestock and also other value-added products such as Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and Fermented Organic Manure (FOM). Usually farmers resort to burning the crop residues, leading to environment pollution. Though it is already being used as cattle fodder, it is not as nutritious as other foods. Scientists have now shown that crop residue like rice straw when treated with a relatively simple chemical process could effectively help bridge the gap in the country's fodder needs, besides protecting the environment. By separating 'lignin', a complex polymer found in plant cell walls, and adding a few essential ingredients, rice straw could be turned into a cattle fodder with improved palatability and digestibility. The process is called 'delignification', said principal scientist Polumati Anand. After testing the process in an in house pilot plant on the institute campus in Tarnaka, the fortified fodder was evaluated in field trials. Buffalo calves and sheep were fed the fodder and their food intake, digestion and growth examined. These field trials of the fortified fodder held at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicharla, (Hyderabad) showed 'remarkable' improvements in digestibility of buffaloes as palatability increased from 20% to 60%, he explained. Weight gain in the sheep was approximately 3.7 times higher and methane emissions from the animals also dropped. Following tests on sheep, goats and buffaloes, the treated biomass is being fed to cows as well, said Dr. Anand. Utilising the 'delignified' paddy straw in the animal diets offers a sustainable and economical alternative, reducing feed costs and promoting eco-friendly farming practices. Studies are also being carried out at P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Rajendranagar (Hyderabad), to evaluate the effect of fortified fodder developed by CSIR-IICT on the milk yield and quality, said the principal scientist. Scientists are of the view that treated biomass could effectively deal with the growing need for a cost-effective animal fodder with enhanced nutritional efficiency with farmers as direct beneficiaries. The institute has also developed a Dry Anaerobic Digester with Unique Hydrodynamics (DAD-UH) Technology for the generation of CBG and FOM from rice straw and rice husk. A pilot plant, which is being operated on the institute campus for the past 18 months, has shown that about 100 kg and 140 kg of CBG could be generated from one tonne of rice husk and straw respectively, said scientist Sameena. Chief Scientist A.G. Rao said that as per the Centre's SATAT (Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation) programme, a minimum of two tonnes per day capacity CBG plant can be installed by an entrepreneur, and the gas generated could be supplied to nearby CNG bunks being operated by Oil Manufacturing Companies. These plants are remunerative with a simple payback period of four years with guaranteed CBG and FOM (Fermented Organic Manure) purchase from by the Centre, he said. The pilot plants and the process of reinventing crop residues was showcased during a recent farmers conclave held at the institute, where Telangana Agriculture Secretary M. Raghunandan Rao expressed concern over farmers burning crop residue. The government is proposing to set up agri-based industries using biomass and others, including CNG plants on land belonging to the Agriculture department, he said. Hailing the farm friendly products, CSIR-IICT Director D. Srinivasa Reddy said the institute, which had played a pioneering role in promoting pharma and allied industries, has also been working on developing eco-friendly technologies. 'Resources currently considered as 'waste' are being utilised as 'resources' for the generation of value-added products in addition to complimenting farmers' income,' he added.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Thai Cabinet Approves $1.3 Billion Plan for F1 Race in Bangkok
Thailand's cabinet approved a proposal for Bangkok to host a Formula One race for at least five years starting in 2028, earmarking 41.4 billion baht ($1.3 billion) in an effort to boost the nation's image as a venue for international events and luxury tourism. A Bangkok race would likely be in either March or September, depending on negotiations with Formula One Management Ltd. and The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, according to a Thai government statement issued Tuesday after the cabinet meeting.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Exclusive: F1 decides against F175-style season launch in 2026
Formula 1 has decided against holding a group season launch for its 2026 campaign, has learned. To celebrate the championship's 75th anniversary, F1 held a first-of-its-kind 2025 season launch with all teams jointly presenting their new liveries at the O2 Arena in London. Advertisement By all metrics the event was a success for F1 and its teams and sponsors: it recorded a peak of 1.1 million concurrent live viewers on its YouTube channel, with 7.5 million viewers in total across various platforms as the series officially kickstarted the 2025 campaign. But has learned that after exploring options with its teams and stakeholders, commercial rightsholder FOM has now decided not to repeat the event ahead of the 2026 season. It is understood that a part of the decision is down to FOM feeling that as February's launch event was held specifically to celebrate F1's 75-year anniversary, it wouldn't necessarily have made sense to hold it annually but rather revisit it in the future around other key moments. Alex Albon, Williams Alex Albon, Williams Another major factor is the sweeping regulation changes for 2026, which means teams will have to run all-new cars and power units. As part of that huge undertaking, F1's 11 teams - its 10 current squads and newcomer Cadillac - are set for a trio of three-day pre-season tests in Barcelona and Bahrain, up from this off-season's sole three-day test in Sakhir. Advertisement The first of those test events is expected to be held behind closed doors in Barcelona at the end of January, pushing any potential season launch closer towards the turn of the year. An official, large-scale season launch in the style of 2025's O2 spectacle would not only cause a big distraction at a critical time for F1 teams, but would also have to be held at a time when they are still finalising their 2026 sponsorship roster. Read Also: F1's 2026 Canadian GP clash with Indy 500 won't happen every year F1 reveals 2026 calendar as Madrid replaces Imola FOM has therefore decided not to go ahead with a repeat of 2025 after a consultation with teams. It is, however, still exploring options to revive the event in the future. Among the options is to take the event to different key cities and markets around the world rather than return to London. To read more articles visit our website.
News18
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
'Real' Over 'Reel' Racing For Verstappen! F1 Champion Snubs Brad Pitt's F1 Movie For iRacing
Last Updated: Max Verstappen skipped the exclusive screening of Brad Pitt's 'F1: The Movie' to spend time at home with family, and to live stream his iRacing gameplay. Max Verstappen made waves in F1's most glamorous paddock on Thursday by choosing to stay home instead of attending an exclusive screening of the new Brad Pitt film 'F1: The Movie'. Verstappen, who isn't fond of promotional activities beyond his team's needs, said he had declined the invitation well in advance. He didn't comment on his diaper-changing duties. 'I informed Formula One Management (FOM) that I wouldn't be attending," he said. 'They were aware. I just wanted to spend more time at home. It wasn't a mandatory event, and it was my private time. 'I prefer to spend that private time at home, especially since in F1, you're away from home so much already. It's pretty normal, I think. Now that my family is growing, I definitely prefer more time at home." While no one doubts Verstappen's commitment as a father, his alter-ego, 'Franz Hermann', was active on iRacing during the screening. The F1 Drivers had an exclusive preview of Brad Pitt's F1 Movie! 🍿All active drivers showed up to the premier except for, you guessed it, Max Verstappen aka Franz Hermann who was live on iRacing 😂 — Racing Balls F1 (@RacingBallsF1) May 21, 2025 Red Bull's four-time world champion and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll were the only drivers absent from the preview showing of the Hollywood movie in Monaco on Wednesday evening, which was part of the build-up to this weekend's Grand Prix. Both drivers, along with the 18 who attended, are in Monaco for the Grand Prix, the second of three consecutive races in Italy, Monaco, and Spain, following six season-opening flyaway races in Australia, Asia, the Gulf, and Florida. The highly anticipated film, set for release next month, stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. It was directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for 'Top Gun: Maverick,' and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, who praised the movie for its authenticity. (with agency inputs) First Published: May 22, 2025, 23:50 IST
New York Times
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Mexico City Grand Prix extends Formula One contract until 2028
The Mexico City Grand Prix has secured a new contract to host a Formula One race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track in the Mexican capital until 2028. The Mexican event has featured on the F1 calendar for three distinct periods through the championship's 75-year history, with its current run starting back in 2015. Advertisement The race's current deal with F1 promoter Formula One Management (FOM) had been set to conclude at the end of 2025, after the race was granted two separate three-year extensions following the conclusion of its original five-race contract in 2019. This includes running through the 2020 season most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, when Mexico did not host a race. 'We are very excited to announce that the Mexico GP will be held for three more years,' said Alejandro Soberón Kuri, CIE president and CEO, in a statement. 'We are deeply grateful for the invaluable support of the government of Mexico City, from the head of government of Mexico City, Clara Brugada, to our president, Claudia Sheinbaum, as well as Stefano Domenicali (CEO) from Formula 1, who have made it possible to continue bringing Formula 1 to our country.' The Mexican Grand Prix first appeared on the F1 calendar back in 1963, with the Magdalena Mixhuca track hosting seven races in the following years. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez then held seven more F1 world championship races between 1986 and 1992. The track's current run of races coincided with the rise of Sergio Perez —statistically Mexico's most successful F1 driver. He scored six race wins and 33 other podium finishes after commencing his F1 career with Sauber back in 2011. He most recently raced for the Red Bull team alongside world champion Max Verstappen, but was dropped from the squad at 2024's end. This led to concern amongst CIE officials about the race's chances of retaining its slot, but several factors have combined in its favor around the new deal. First, the Mexico City Grand Prix, as the event has been known since 2021, has been consistently popular with fans — with 404,958 people attending the most recent event over three days in October 2024. This figure includes 154,124 people attending race day alone. Then Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz dominated that day, where Perez produced a very poor showing that included a jump start penalty, a clash with the driver that briefly replaced him at Red Bull — New Zealander Liam Lawson — and getting lapped by the winner. Advertisement The race has also won awards from within the F1 community, with FOM handing it the 'Best Promoter' award at the FIA Prize Giving ceremonies five years in a row between 2015 and 2019. Perez has also been linked with a fast return to F1 racing action, if he can do a new deal with the Cadillac team that will enter the championship in 2026. But even if Perez is unsuccessful, in recent years CIE has been implementing a ticket sales strategy aimed at ensuring the race would remain popular even without a home driver to support – boosted by the current run of close racing between multiple teams generating an exciting on-track spectacle, as well as ongoing new fan interest generated by the 'Drive to Survive' Netflix series. 'We are very excited to announce that the Mexico City Grand Prix will continue to be part of our calendar through the 2028 season,' said Domenicali in a statement. 'Formula 1 is energy, passion and emotion, and every year the unique atmosphere created by our fans in Mexico City is one of the most incredible and energetic experiences of our championship.' Verstappen is the most successful F1 driver in the Mexican F1 race, with five wins scored between 2017 and 2023. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track is situated in south-east Mexico City and is named after racing driver brothers Ricardo Rodríguez and Pedro Rodríguez. The latter is Mexico's second most successful F1 driver, with two world championship victories before his death in a sports car race in 1971. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
