Gandhinagar (Gujarat): To promote clean fuel, the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented the Gobar-Dhan Yojana (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan Yojana) focusing on cleanliness and sustainable development in rural areas, as per a release.
Under this scheme, the central and state governments provide a subsidy of Rs 37,000 to establish biogas plants. These biogas plants are providing alternative energy sources, a clean environment, health benefits, and employment opportunities to rural areas. Today, more than 7,200 biogas plants are operational in the state, contributing to the prosperity of livestock owners. Additionally, these plants are helping reduce traditional fuel costs and improving the health of the people.
It is noteworthy that the PM has launched the nationwide ‘Swachhata Hi Seva – 2024’ campaign from 17 September to 31 October which aims to accelerate cleanliness programs across the country, the statement read.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the ‘Swabhav Swachhata-Sanskar Swachhata’ spirit has been instilled among the citizens of Gujarat through this campaign, with various cleanliness-related activities being undertaken across the state.
As the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign progresses nationwide, the biogas plants established under the Gobar-Dhan Yojana are also contributing by producing clean fuel and promoting a cleaner environment.
The Gobar-Dhan Yojana is part of the Government of India’s comprehensive biogas program. It was launched on 1 November 2018 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti – Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
The goal of this scheme is to convert organic waste like cattle dung, agricultural residues, and other organic waste into biogas, compressed biogas (CBG), or bio-CNG. This biogas can be used for cooking and generating electricity.
The scheme not only ensures effective waste management but also supports renewable energy production, increases cleanliness, provides farmers with a new source of income, and encourages sustainable agricultural practices. To avail of this scheme, a person must own at least two livestock animals, as per the release.
For the establishment of biogas plants, both the central and state governments provide a subsidy of Rs 37,000 per unit. For each 2-cubic-meter-capacity biogas plant, the beneficiary’s contribution is Rs 5,000, while the central and state government share Rs 25,000, and Rs 12,000 comes from MNREGA (for digging pits and slurry consolidation).
Thus, a biogas plant is set up at a total cost of Rs 42,000, with the beneficiary needing to invest only Rs5,000. Banas Dairy, Sabar Dairy, Doodh Sagar Dairy, Amul Dairy, and NDDB have been appointed as implementing agencies for these biogas plants.
Under Phase-2 of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), 200 individual biogas plants have been established in clusters in each of the 33 districts. Against the target of 7,600 biogas plants in the state, a total of 7,276 have been installed to date.
In 2022-23, Rs 50 lakh per district (in a 60 percent central and 40 percent state ratio) was allocated for these biogas plants. Currently, 97 per cent of the individual biogas plants under the Gobar-Dhan Project are operational in Gujarat, while work on cluster biogas plants is still in progress, as per the press release.
Biogas produced from organic waste can be used for cooking, leading to fuel savings and improved taste. According to a survey conducted by Sabar Dairy, 100 percent of families agreed that food cooked with biogas tastes better. Additionally, 87 percent of families acknowledged that biogas cooking is significantly faster compared to wood or LPG. Another advantage of cooking with biogas is that cleaning utensils afterward becomes easier.
A key benefit is the positive impact on health. Before the installation of biogas plants, individuals had to deal with smoke in the kitchen, eye infections, respiratory infections, and diseases caused by flies and mosquitoes.
However, after the installation of biogas plants, these health issues have significantly decreased. Considering all these benefits, the Gujarat government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has planned to establish 10,000 more plants across 50 additional clusters.
The use of naturally produced biogas has reduced expenses on LPG cylinders. The pollution caused by burning wood has also stopped. The slurry from these biogas plants is odor-free and can be used as organic fertilizer, allowing farmers to practice organic farming, the statement read.
A cooperative society can be formed to sell this organic fertilizer, increasing income. Women from self-help groups have become self-reliant through fertilizer cooperatives and have found new employment opportunities.
