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Dr. A R Shukla, President Indian Biogas Association.
Increasing concerns about soil degradation, depleting water resources, and falling crop yields have emphasized the importance of sustainable farming like never before. It is estimated that India’s population will be 166.8 crores by 2050, and we will need to increase our farm productivity manifold to feed the people.
The potential of the biogas sector to make agriculture sustainable is indisputable and can be a gamechanger in promoting sustainable farming in India. Putting biogas plants on sustainable farms helps the farmers, the environment, and the community as a whole in many ways. Biogas plants help with waste management, reduce energy costs improve soil fertility, and help optimising crop rotation. Catch crops, which are unused for food purposes and not costly, can be used as substrates for biogas plants. This improves crop rotation and also enhances biodiversity. Biogas plants can also incentivize growing cover crops. Cover crops, which are generally mulched into the ground, can also be harvested and used as feedstock for biogas digesters.
The waste generated from any crop cultivation and farm animals can be used as the substrate for biogas digesters. The animal manure and other organic waste from the farm can be converted into bio-slurry that is odourless and does not attract pests and flies. Moreover, the bio-slurry from the biogas digesters provides higher nitrogen content to the soil in comparison to raw manure and controls methane emissions.
Agricultural biogas plants can make farmers self-sufficient in energy generation. Biogas generated from these plants can be used to generate energy for cooking and heating purposes, electricity for daily activities on the farm and fuel for tractors and other vehicles. Excess energy can be sold to earn additional revenue.
The digestate generated from the biogas plant can be further processed and used as an organic fertilizer and pesticide on the farm. The most significant benefit of installing a biogas plant is the increase in crop yield due to the use of organic fertilizer, which promotes soil health and improves fertility. The humic acid in the biogas digestate conditions the soil and improves its quality.
Biogas plants can benefit the local communities by generating employment opportunities and improving the livelihoods of marginalized sections. The biogas sector has a huge potential for employment generation in both skilled and unskilled sectors. The additional jobs created can provide sustainable livelihoods and reduce the dependence on agriculture for livelihoods. Moreover, proper waste management on farms leads to less dumping of waste in landfills and water bodies, which improves the living conditions and health of the community.
Agricultural biogas plants can also have a positive effect on the environment. A study conducted in Europe demonstrated that substituting biogas for fossil fuels helps in the large-scale reduction of carbon emissions as burning biogas for energy generates fewer greenhouse gases in comparison to fossil fuels. The reduced usage of fossil fuels for chemical fertilizers and pesticides and energy requirements can reduce pollution and help in reducing carbon emissions. Using organic fertilizers also prevents chemicals from leaching into the groundwater and surface water bodies and helps conserve water. Proper sorting and management of waste can make it easier on landfills and stop harmful gases from getting into the air.
However, biogas production poses some technological and economic challenges. Biogas plants are technology-intensive and many operators report recurring technical failures, especially when the fibrous and solid feedstock is used in the digesters. Operating a biogas plant can be expensive when the biomass has to be procured from outside. The environmental benefits of biogas are negated when the biomass has to be transported from large distances. However, these challenges can be addressed through a more robust use of technology and proper planning. Small farms with biogas plants can have trouble making money, but this can be fixed by putting in community biogas plants where everyone can share the costs and profits.
Though biogas can have a huge positive impact on sustainable farming, most farmers are unaware of its benefits and fear financial constraints. Knowledge sharing and information dissemination can help to educate farmers about biogas and its importance in sustainable farming. Governments, professional associations, local authorities, and farmer’s cooperatives must come forward to inform, educate, and demonstrate the potential of biogas plants to convince the farmers. Technologically sound small biogas plants that can be easily integrated into the farm’s biomass cycles have to be developed for use on small farms. The government must create essential frameworks for greater cohesion among agricultural, environmental, and energy policies. Biogas plants can be a big part of sustainable farming if the government helps pay for and subsidise the installation of these plants.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.
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