Development of Energy Sector in Rural Areas of Punjab through National Biogas and Manure Programme: A Review

Inadequate access and poor quality of energy services is a critical dimension of rural underdevelopment in India. Biogas is a clean and efficient fuel, produced from cattle dung, human excreta and other organic matter through a process called ‘digestion ’which can be used in meeting rural energy requirements and in the empowerment of village community through enhanced livelihood opportunities.

The National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) is a scheme started by the Indian Government in 2005 which aims to encourage people in rural areas to adopt biogas technologies to meet their household cooking and lighting needs. In the state of Punjab, India, burning of crop residues is a common way to eliminate waste after harvesting especially machine harvesting, which emits large amount of particulate matters and Green House Gases, adversely affecting human health as well as the environment. To use the waste or crop residue effectively for generating clean energy for energy development of rural areas, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), a state-designated agency plays a significant role.

This research paper will analyse the international and national initiatives undertaken to support biomass by using secondary resources such as ejournals, government documents and annual reports of PEDA. The main objective of this paper is to explore the development of NBMMP scheme in Punjab while assessing the role and functionality of PEDA. The paper will also discuss the various challenges and suggestions related to the deployment of biogas. The review may be useful in the assessment of the implementation of this policy.