Will Biogas Help India Reach Swadeshi*?

With growing scarcity of resources, Gandhi’s dream of self-sufficient communities, sustaining their needs from the local environment is more than ever a burning issue. India’s rural areas have an amazing source of perennial and cost-effective energy at their disposal, thanks to biomass. Biogas potential is huge and can contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, alleviating women’s drudgery, and to enhancing rural development.

These renewable energy options are promoted by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) through subsidies and information dissemination. The government has organized the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) nationwide for the promotion of biogas technology and several NGOs have been active in implementing the program on the ground.

Biogas plants transform cattle dung into a clean and particulate-free gas that can be directly used for cooking in rural houses. It sounds simple and would be if farmers were given adequate guidance to install and operate biogas plants, with advice about the appropriate pipes or gas transport. We may well soon see all rural households turn into plant operators for the sake of Swadeshi!

Have you heard of any biogas experiences in rural areas? Please share any promising achievements you know of!

*Self-sufficiency