45. Biogas Development Programme in Himachal Pradesh (India)

Biogas development programme has been implemented in Himachal Pradesh under aegis of national project on biogas development (NPBD) since 1981–82 to provide clean fuel and enriched manure for agriculture in rural areas. Due to wide variation in agro-climatic conditions of the state, this scheme has been started in ten districts out of twelve districts covering around 74% blocks. Designs of 55 days retention time plants were selected for its propagation and dome type designs (Janta and Deenbandhu) have been found suitable for propagation in the state, of which presently Deenbandhu model is preferred due to its low cost of installation and better gas generation efficiency. The observed average biogas production from 1 m³ plant is 0.6 m³/day around the year and during winter less fermented feed comes out from the plant. Under the programme, the state nodal agency (department of agriculture) has installed about 39,000 family size biogas plants. To support the propagation work of the nodal agency, the department of agricultural engineering, HPKV, Palampur has trained 163 state government officials, 70 turnkey workers (private entrepreneurs), 713 masons and 10,581 rural women folk for various districts under regional biogas development and training centre. Biogas technology has vast potential in the state and estimated for meeting cooking needs of 37.7% rural household. Poor functionality of biogas plant (63%) has adversely affected the pace of plant installation. Actual potential is for about 0.25 million 1 m³ biogas plant which will meet the cooking needs of nearly 0.5 million people per day and thereby saving of 0.493 million kg fuel wood. With present functionality rate, the installed biogas plants are able to save about 0.102 million kg fuel wood per day and provides clean fuel for more than 97,000 peoples. The study suggests effective involvement of turnkey workers, more motivation to farmers, adoption of proper construction methodology using cluster approach in potential districts for higher adopted and functionality. Study also suggests for ready made plant and further research on design of plants, microbial consortium and alternate feed stock.