In Chhotaudepur district, Gujarat, a quiet transformation is underway in the small tribal village of Nani Bumdi. Every morning, Dipikaben Kanayabhai Rathwa collects cow dung, mixes it with water, and feeds it into her family’s biogas plant—a routine that has dramatically changed her household and improved their quality of life, according to the ANI.
The biogas unit was installed under the Gobardhan (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) Scheme, a government initiative that converts cattle and organic waste into clean energy. The plant, costing Rs 42,000, was made affordable with a subsidy of Rs 37,000, leaving the family to contribute only Rs 5,000.
Through this scheme, the Gujarat government aims to promote rural cleanliness, renewable energy, and self-reliance in villages.
“Earlier, we cooked on traditional stoves that filled the house with smoke and irritated our eyes and lungs,” Dipikaben recalls. “The biogas plant has brought great relief. Cooking is cleaner, faster, and healthier now.” Her mother-in-law, Rathwa Pinaban, adds, “With gas, there’s no smoke, food cooks quicker, and it tastes better too.”
Switching from firewood and costly LPG cylinders to biogas has brought multiple benefits. The family now uses smokeless, eco-friendly fuel for daily meals, saving time and reducing indoor pollution. Additionally, the plant produces bio-slurry, an organic fertilizer that naturally enriches their fields and reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Chetanbhai Bhoi, District Coordinator of DRDA, Chhotaudepur, notes that each biogas unit costs Rs 42,000, with the government providing most of the funding and beneficiaries contributing a small portion.
The Gobardhan Scheme is proving transformative for rural Gujarat. By turning waste into energy, it empowers families like Dipikaben’s, improves sanitation, and promotes sustainable farming. The initiative showcases how government-backed innovation, combined with community participation, can foster a cleaner, greener, and self-reliant rural India.
