India, the second largest agro-based economy with year-round crop cultivation, generates a large amount of agricultural waste, including crop residues. Although most of it is used as fodder or for energy production, approximately 92 metric tons of crop waste is burned every year. Small-scale farmers facing economic constraints resort to burning as a cost-effective method for field clearance. Burning releases significant quantities of greenhouse gases that trap heat, pollute the air and produce black carbon which is a potent climate forcer. It makes soil lose its ability to sequester carbon. This aggravates drought conditions and alters climate patterns. Transforming agricultural waste into sustainable bricks for construction not only upcycles the waste, preventing it from becoming greenhouse emissions but also offers farmers an additional source of income.
