A constant need for energy is necessary and permanent as far as modern society is concerned. The primary energy resource in today’s world are fossil fuels. A serious problem is the fact that their amount is decreasing. Fossil fuels are not renewable. Their sources will disappear and new energy resources will have to be switched to, because the consequences of energy resources disappearance are inconceivable. Biomass as an energy resource is not properly used. There are many ways to generate energy from biomass. You can grow plants to get biomass for energy production or you can use plants’ residues, which are the results of agricultural production. You can also use organic waste products and animal faeces. The oldest way of the production of energy or fuel from biomass is burning. Agricultural biomass including soybean straw is a very acceptable fuel from the point of view of environmental protection and especially greenhouse gases emission.
The use of biomass energy offers chances for the establishment of new jobs. This way it can have a positive influence on both the local and national economy.
The knowledge and use of soybean growing has a great importance for the development of certain regions in Croatia, as well as on the employment rate and entrepreneur encouragement. It would be even more important to start using unused land areas. Soybean growing makes it possible to introduce “the third culture“ (except for wheat and corn), which will result in additional and safer profit for farmers in Croatia, a more favourable use of agricultural machines, and the profitability of production.

biomass; soybean; renewable energy resource

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia