As Bihar grapples with the growing threat of climate change, the state is exploring renewable energy sources, with biogas emerging as a promising option. The GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme, launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission, aims to create sustainable energy by converting cow dung and organic waste into biogas. However, the program is facing both achievements and significant hurdles.
Community Biogas Initiatives in Action
Biogas is a clean, renewable fuel generated through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste like cow dung or food scraps. With methane as its primary component, biogas is flammable and produces a potent blue flame. Biogas cannot be used interchangeably with LPG without stove modifications.
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Ranju Kumari, a housewife who has transitioned to cooking with biogas, shared, “Utensils heat up quicker on this biofuel. The flame is not as strong as LPG, but it works well.”
Under the GOBARdhan scheme, biogas plants are being established at the district level. According to the official data, as of October 2024, 1,340 biogas plants have been registered across India, with 65% operational. In Bihar, out of the 38 districts, 14 biogas plants are functional, and construction is ongoing in 29 locations.
Himanshu Sharma, CEO of JEEViKA and Nodal Officer of the GOBARdhan scheme, explained, “We have set up one biogas plant in every district at an expense of around Rs 50 lakhs, including three years of defect liability coverage. They are operational at 15-16 locations, and efforts are underway to activate the rest.”
Success and Struggles in Rural Implementation
In Sonmai Panchayat of Dhanarua block in Patna district, a 60-cubic meter biogas plant has been running since May 2023. This plant uses 1,500 kilograms of cow dung daily, supplying gas to 20-22 households for two hours in the morning and evening. Women in the area, who previously relied on the labor-intensive process of making and selling cow dung cakes, now benefit from this scheme.
Saroja Devi, a local resident, explained how biogas has made life easier: “Earlier, we made cow dung cakes and sold them, which required a lot of physical labor. Now, we just carry the dung away, and it gets sold. There’s money with less physical effort.”
However, not all is smooth sailing. The plant in Sonmai developed a crack in its digester, leading to a three to four-month shutdown. Sanjeet Kumar, Plant Manager, said, “The supply has resumed for four days now, but the plant was shut for several months due to the crack.”
In Supaul district, another biogas plant of 80-cubic meter capacity was non-operational during a visit on September 30, 2024. Farmers were dissatisfied with the cow dung procurement rate of 50 paise per kilogram, demanding at least one rupee per kilogram. Surendra Yadav, Plant Manager in Supaul, admitted, “There is no supply of cow dung because villagers want a higher rate.”
The GOBARdhan scheme has no fixed rate for cow dung procurement, leaving the decision to local communities. Himanshu Sharma stated, “It can be available even free of cost somewhere or at any rate that allows the plant to operate efficiently. If the plant runs well, costs can be recovered.”
The long-term benefits also include using the leftover slurry as a nutrient-rich biofertilizer.
Dr. Shashidhar Jha of WRI (World Resources Institute) India emphasised, “We need to educate farmers on the benefits of using the slurry directly on agriculture land. We can also explore partnerships with dairies like Sudha Dairy to scale up production.”
The Path to Scaling Up
Biogas plants have the potential to address Bihar’s energy needs sustainably, especially given the state’s large livestock population.
Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, announced in Parliament on July 24, 2024, that financial assistance of up to Rs 50 lakhs per district is available for biogas plants under phase two of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Himanshu Sharma remains optimistic: “If we succeed, we can increase the number of biogas plants.”
Dr. Jha believes that with strategic collaboration, the entire process can be streamlined, turning biogas into a reliable renewable energy source for Bihar. “With a collaborative approach, biogas production can be done at the village level, similar to how milk is supplied to federations,” he suggested.
As Bihar continues to experience severe climate change impacts, from floods in the north to droughts in the south, embracing biogas could provide a much-needed renewable energy alternative. The road to widespread implementation, however, requires overcoming pricing disputes, technical hurdles, and community engagement challenges.
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