Gandhinagar, Aug 7 (IANS) Gujarat is set to expand its rural biogas network with a target of installing 20,000 additional household biogas plants during 2026-27 after more than 14,000 plants became operational across the state under the 'GOBARdhan' scheme, an initiative aimed at converting cattle waste into clean energy and organic manure.
Implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the scheme has been rolled out in 88 clusters since 2023-24 to promote scientific management of livestock waste, improve rural sanitation, generate clean cooking fuel and encourage the use of organic fertiliser through a circular economy model.
According to the state government, the 20,000 new individual biogas plants will be established at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore during the current financial year.
Beneficiaries receive financial assistance of Rs 25,000 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) to install a plant, while contributing the remaining Rs 5,000 themselves.
The expansion follows the recent approval by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme – GOBARdhan with a total outlay of Rs 23,731 crore.
Gujarat has adopted a cluster-based implementation strategy for the programme. In the first phase, 7,423 individual biogas plants were installed across 38 clusters with support from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Amul, Banas Dairy and Dudhsagar Dairy.
In the second phase, funded entirely by the state government, a target of 10,000 plants was set across 50 clusters.
Working with the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and district milk unions, nearly 7,000 plants have already been established, taking the total number of operational plants under the first two phases to more than 14,000.
The scheme uses modern two-cubic-metre flexible biogas plants made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), designed for easy installation and low maintenance.
Each beneficiary receives a complete kit comprising a biodigester, geotextile sheet, gas pipe, hydrogen sulphide filter, two-burner gas stove, pressure regulator valve, lighter and other accessories.
The government cited a UNICEF survey stating that a two-cubic-metre biogas plant can save the equivalent of eight to 10 LPG cylinders annually, allow the scientific management of around 18,250 kg of livestock waste each year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 834 kg.
It also said the technology improves the health of rural women by eliminating smoke from traditional cooking methods while increasing the use of bio-slurry as organic manure, reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and supporting natural farming.
The state government said the initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the guidance of Rural Development Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and Minister of State, Sanjaysinh Mahida, to promote scientific management of cattle dung and organic waste for the production of biogas and organic manure.
It said the programme supports rural sanitation, the development of ODF Plus villages and the wider adoption of renewable energy.
Among the beneficiaries is Manjula Barad of Rangpur village in Gir Somnath district's Sutrapada taluka, whose household biogas plant was installed during 2025-26 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) with support from Junagadh's Savaj Dairy on behalf of GCMMF.
Manjula said, "By using biogas for cooking and slurry in my fields, I have reduced the use of urea fertiliser. This initiative has provided my family with clean energy while encouraging other livestock rearers in the village to make better use of cattle dung and adopt cleaner sanitation practices."
--IANS
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