From Waste to Wealth: Transforming Odisha’s Acid Soil through Fly Ash - Based Value-Added Products for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Fly ash, a major by-product of coal-based thermal power plants, is generated in large quantities across India, creating significant challenges for its safe disposal and management. However, its diverse mineral composition offers considerable potential for beneficial agricultural applications. Fly ash contains silica, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulphur, iron and several micronutrients that can contribute to improved soil properties, nutrient availability and crop growth when applied at appropriate rates. In Odisha, where soil acidity is a major constraint to agricultural productivity, the utilisation of fly ash-based value-added products provides a promising and sustainable approach to soil and crop management. Such products can be prepared by integrating fly ash with organic amendments, including farmyard manure, rice straw compost and poultry manure, thereby combining the nutrient and soil-conditioning benefits of industrial and agricultural residues. These amendments can help ameliorate soil acidity and improve physical, chemical and biological properties, leading to better plant growth and productivity. In addition, the incorporation of organic materials may improve the overall efficiency and safety of fly ash utilisation by balancing its chemical properties and enhancing its agronomic value. The development and use of fly ash-based value-added products further help in promoting the recycling and sustainable management of industrial and agricultural wastes. This approach can contribute to environmentally sound agricultural practices, particularly in acid soils of Odisha, while reducing the dependence on conventional soil amendments and supporting circular resource utilisation. Thus, judicious use of fly ash in combination with organic amendments represents a practical, economical and sustainable strategy for enhancing soil health and agricultural productivity.