Context:
The Banaskantha District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union in Gujarat has embarked on a transformative initiative to convert dung into BioCNG (compressed natural gas) and fertilizer, thereby supplementing farmers’ income. This innovative project not only addresses waste management challenges but also creates new revenue streams for dairy farmers. The BioCNG outlet, situated on the Deesa-Tharad highway in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, stands as a pioneering venture, being India’s first and only gas-filling station operating on dung sourced from cattle and buffaloes.
Relevance:
GS III: Agriculture
Dimensions of the Article:
- Harnessing the Value of Dung in Farming
- Key Challenges to Address
Harnessing the Value of Dung in Farming
Dung Production and Composition:
- An adult bovine animal produces 15-20 kg of fresh dung daily, while calves yield 5-10 kg.
- Fresh dung, containing 80-85% water, weighs only 200 grams per kg when dried.
Biogas Production from Dung:
- Methane in fresh dung, crucial for biogas production, is obtained through anaerobic digestion.
- Bacteria-like microbes in the bovine’s rumen produce methane during the fermentation of plant material.
- The digestion involves four successive stages: hydrolysis (break-down of organic matter into simple molecules), acidogenesis (their conversion into volatile fatty acids), acetogenesis (production of acetic acid, CO2 and hydrogen) and methanogenesis (biogas generation).
- Biogas digesters reduce methane emissions, aiding in greenhouse gas mitigation.
Biogas Purification and Compression:
- Raw biogas undergoes purification to remove CO2, H2S, and moisture.
- The purified biogas, compressed to 96-97% methane, is sold as BioCNG at Rs 72/kg.
Utilization of Slurry for Fertilizer:
- After biogas extraction, the slurry is dewatered and separated.
- The solid residue is decomposed and sold as PROM (phosphate-rich organic manure) or used for compost production.
- The liquid portion is reused or sold as liquid-fermented organic manure.
Scalability and Replicability:
- The BioCNG model is scalable and replicable, utilizing dung from district member unions.
- Gujarat’s Kaira Union’s decentralised model targets 10,000 Flexi Biogas plant installations.
- Individual farmers can benefit from smaller Flexi plants for personal use and potential income generation.
Key Challenges to Address
- Ensuring Organic Feedstock Supply: Consistent access to high-quality organic feedstock for animals is crucial for sustained biogas production.
- Effective Waste Segregation and Collection: Implementation of efficient waste segregation and collection systems is necessary to ensure a steady supply of feedstock.
- Lack of Knowledge and Resources: Individual farmers and smaller cooperatives may lack the expertise and resources for proper maintenance and monitoring of BioCNG plants.
- Training and Technical Support: Training programs, technical support, and standardized operating procedures are essential for ensuring the efficient operation of BioCNG plants.
- Access to Financing Options: Financial barriers can hinder the establishment of BioCNG plants, highlighting the need for subsidies, grants, or low-interest loans.
- Skilled Labour and Infrastructure: Addressing the shortage of skilled labor and infrastructure requires public-private partnerships, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Efficient Storage and Distribution: Efficient storage systems and distribution networks are necessary to ensure the reliable supply of BioCNG to end-users.
- Overcoming Misconceptions: Overcoming misconceptions about the safety and hygiene of dung gas is crucial for widespread adoption, necessitating educational outreach and demonstration of the process’s cleanliness and safety.
-Source: The Hindu
