India holds a prominent position in the global dairy industry, standing as both the largest producer and consumer of dairy products. This dual distinction not only contributes significantly to the national economy, accounting for 5%, but also plays a crucial role in providing livelihoods for over 80 million farmers.
The recently released Annual Report for 2022-2023 by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying sheds light on the immense scale of India’s dairy industry, boasting a staggering livestock population of 536.76 million.
However, amidst the celebration of these economic achievements, a significant environmental challenge arises. Livestock waste, an inherent byproduct of dairy operations, has become a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane.
Remarkably, methane, identified as the second-largest contributor to climate change, constitutes 16% of the global warming effect. This environmental concern gained heightened attention at the recent Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, where discussions focused on methane emissions.
The urgency surrounding this issue arises from the unique impact of methane—although it doesn’t persist in the atmosphere for an extended period, its warming effect is substantial, surpassing CO2 by 28 times over a 100-year period and an alarming 80 times over 20 years.
In response to this pressing challenge, global dairy companies have demonstrated a collective commitment to environmental responsibility by forming an alliance. This collaborative effort, aimed at addressing and mitigating methane emissions, represents a significant stride towards ensuring the sustainability of the dairy industry on a global scale.
A well-established method for deriving value from livestock waste involves using it both as a cooking fuel and fertilizer. Traditionally, cow dung is used for cooking and soil fertilization. However, challenges arise when livestock waste decomposes openly, leading to methane production. This is precisely where the transformative potential of biogas comes into play.
Modern biogas technology stands out as a promising solution, specifically targeting methane emissions at their source. In comparison to other renewable energy sources, biogas emerges as the cleanest option, proving particularly advantageous for dairy farms.
“This innovative approach not only tackles the environmental challenges linked to open decomposition of livestock waste but also makes a significant contribution to all three dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic, and environmental. Importantly, these solutions are in line with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Social Impacts
- Improved Health & Indoor Air Quality
The adoption of biogas technology not only diminishes reliance on traditional cooking fuels like wood and dung but also results in a marked improvement in indoor air quality. By mitigating the health risks associated with indoor air pollution, particularly in communities relying on traditional cooking methods, biogas contributes to an overall enhancement of public health. - Gender Equality
Biogas plays a pivotal role in reshaping gender roles, particularly for women. By alleviating women from the burdensome tasks of collecting and utilizing fossil fuel for cooking, these projects facilitate a more equitable distribution of domestic responsibilities. Opening avenues for women to actively participate in various biogas-related activities, promoting empowerment and inclusivity within communities.
Economic Impacts
- Income Generation
The ripple effects of biogas projects extend deeply into rural economies, creating a web of economic opportunities. From employment opportunities tied to waste collection to the construction and maintenance of biogas plants, as well as the distribution of biogas and biofertilizer products, these initiatives serve as dynamic agents of poverty reduction and overall economic development in rural areas. - Energy Cost Savings
Biogas serves as a financially viable alternative to traditional energy sources, delivering tangible savings on energy expenses for both households and businesses. Particularly beneficial in regions with limited access to conventional energy, biogas becomes an enabler of economic resilience, empowering communities with a reliable and cost-effective energy solution.
Environmental Impacts
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
Biogas helps mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by capturing methane, a potent GHG, through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials like agricultural residues and organic waste. The process prevents uncontrolled methane release into the atmosphere, while the captured methane can be used as a clean energy source, substituting for fossil fuels and reducing overall emissions. Additionally, biogas technology promotes carbon sequestration by converting organic waste into nutrient-rich digestate, which enhances soil health and fertility. By addressing both methane emissions and providing a renewable energy alternative, biogas contributes significantly to efforts aimed at combating climate change and fostering sustainable waste management practices. - Waste Management
Biogas plants stand out as a revolutionary solution to tackle the intricate issue of managing animal and farmland waste. Going beyond mere energy production, these plants play a central role in transforming animal waste into a sustainable energy source, embodying the core tenets of a circular economy and advocating for environmentally conscious waste management practices. This comprehensive strategy for waste management becomes particularly vital in curbing greenhouse gas emissions originating from untreated waste.
Benefits of Biogas Solutions
Biogas solutions, primarily located in rural areas, prove highly advantageous for smallholder farmers, particularly those engaged in dairy farming.
- Renewable Energy Generation
Modern biogas plants generate biogas, a renewable energy source versatile for a range of applications. Predominantly composed of methane, biogas serves as an effective substitute for cooking, heating, electricity generation, and a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The utilization of biogas in energy production by modern biogas plants actively participates in diminishing dependence on non-renewable energy sources and concurrently contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Access to Organic Biofertilizer
Biofertilizers contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by lessening reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers, which can have
detrimental effects on the environment, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and harm to beneficial organisms. These natural alternatives supply crucial nutrients to plants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with micronutrients. Biofertilizers play a key role in enhancing soil structure and nutrient-holding capacity. Through the adoption of biofertilizers, farmers can mitigate the environmental impact, fostering ecological balance within the agricultural ecosystem.
Challenges faced while adopting Biogas Solutions
Despite the numerous advantages biogas presents, its adoption is frequently accompanied by specific challenges.
Initial Investment Costs: Upfront Investment vs Monthly high Cost
The adoption of biogas technology presents a significant challenge, primarily centered around the initial investment needed for the installation of biogas plants. These systems function as long-term assets, offering a decade or more of free energy once installed. Despite this long-term benefit, the prospect of a monthly expenditure of 1000 INR may seem like a more feasible decision from a cash management standpoint. Typically, biogas systems exhibit a payback period of 12 to 18 months. However, this financial hurdle can be especially daunting for smallholder farmers, rural communities, or businesses operating with limited capital. The lack of adequate financial incentives or support mechanisms further exacerbates the potential for initial costs to hinder the widespread adoption of biogas technology.
Public Perception
The adoption of biogas technology encounters a notable hurdle influenced by prevailing attitudes within the public domain, particularly within the farming community. Skepticism is pervasive, fueled by historical instances of low success rates and past failures linked to biogas initiatives. The lingering doubts stemming from these experiences pose a formidable challenge to the widespread acceptance of biogas technology on a larger scale. Overcoming this skepticism necessitates a nuanced understanding of the specific concerns and misconceptions held by the public, emphasizing the need for targeted efforts to reshape perceptions and build confidence in the feasibility and benefits of biogas initiatives.
Limited Awareness and Education
A persistent obstacle in the widespread adoption of biogas technology lies in the limited awareness and educational gaps surrounding its benefits and operational intricacies. A considerable number of potential users may find themselves unfamiliar with the advantages offered by biogas or may lack the requisite knowledge to seamlessly integrate this technology into their daily practices. This lack of awareness not only hinders the realization of the technology’s potential benefits but also underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to bridge existing gaps, empowering users with the information necessary to make informed decisions and embrace the sustainable advantages of biogas systems.
Government policies, schemes and initiatives to promote Biogas solutions
The Government of India has been actively promoting the adoption of biogas solutions as a strategic response to address the challenges posed by climate change, rural development, and resource constraints.
As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission launched in 2014, the government diligently worked towards achieving universal sanitation coverage, declaring villages and regions “open defecation free” by 2019.
Taking it a step further, in the 41st episode of Mann Ki Baat on 25.02.2018, the Prime Minister emphasized the transformative potential of ‘Waste to Wealth’ and ‘Waste to Energy’ through Biogas, seamlessly integrating this vision into the Swachh Bharat Mission and the GOBAR-DHAN scheme.
This holistic initiative not only aimed to ensure cleanliness but also sought to convert cattle dung and agricultural waste into valuable resources like compost and biogas, thereby making a substantial contribution to sustainable development.
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Mrida Ltd. is dedicated to encouraging dairy farmers to embrace biogas and bioslurry. Through partnerships with organizations working in the renewable energy sector, they work to achieve a twofold impact. Firstly, they promote the use of biogas among dairy farmers for household consumption. Secondly, they use the bioslurry produced by the biogas plants, turning it into a source of additional income for the farmers through sales.
Case Study
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) collaboration with Sisitema.bio to promote biogas solutions in Zakariyapura:
In 2019, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) joined forces with Sistema.bio, a global social enterprise headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra. This strategic partnership aimed to usher in a new era of innovative biogas technology for farmers, particularly focusing on smallholder dairy farmers in need of modern solutions.
Sistema.bio, renowned for its expertise in renewable energy solutions, specializes in the production of prefabricated biogas plants. The collaboration’s core mission was to empower smallholder dairy farmers in Zakariyapura by providing them with not just technology but a comprehensive support system. This support included training, access to cutting-edge technology, and essential financing, ensuring that farmers could seamlessly integrate biogas into their daily practices.
Recognizing the benefits of biogas and biofertilizers, the partnership went beyond technology provision. The NDDB, with a keen eye on sustainability and alternative income streams, encouraged farmers in Zakariyapura to maximize biogas utilization for household needs. Additionally, the initiative advocated for the collection and sale of biofertilizer to fellow organic farmers, creating an additional avenue for income generation.
The impact of this collaboration became evident in Zakariyapura as Sistema.bio achieved a remarkable feat by installing 368 biodigesters within an impressive 50-day timeframe.
Conclusions
The future of modern biogas technology in agriculture looks promising as a key contributor to sustainable farming practices. Anticipated trends include a move towards decentralized energy production with individual farms adopting biogas systems, efficiency enhancements through advanced technology and optimized anaerobic digestion processes, integration with smart farming for data-driven decision-making, and the development of biogas upgrading technologies for expanded applications. The circular economy in agriculture is further bolstered as biogas systems recycle organic waste into valuable resources, such as nutrient-rich fertilizers. With government policies, incentives, and a global focus on climate change mitigation, widespread adoption of biogas is expected, positioning it as a crucial element in the transition towards more environmentally friendly and resilient agricultural systems.
