Bio-gas plants benefit villagers

Bommaiparthi (Anantapur): Sanevaripalle, Bommaiparthi and Kannavaripalle are some of the villages in Anantapur district where majority of the people have been harnessing bio-gas by setting up mini-bio-gas plants in their backyards and contributing to the development of village economy.

These villages having 200 to 500 houses are tapping bio-gas not merely as an alternative energy but also to make use of the cow dung which is viewed as a rich organic manure.

Narayana Reddy, a farmer having buffaloes and producing bio-gas says that he had set up the plant not for bio-gas production alone but producing organic manure for his farm.  

The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) has been actively promoting bio-gas plants. Amarnath Reddy, a farmer of Kanavaripalle is one among the many villagers who have been using bio-gas as cooking fuel.

He says that he has been running the plant for the past several years. The huge amount of cow dung produced by his cows helped him to set up the plant under the guidance of the NREDCAP personnel. 

District manager of NREDCAP Kodandarama Murthy said to the 'The Hans India' that each buffalo produces 8-10 kg of dung per day. About 60 to 70 kgs of dung is enough for operating the bio-gas plant.

A minimum of 7-8  cattle are needed for running the bio-gas plant. He further states that a truck load of organic manure sells at Rs.8000, which is an additional income for a farmer.  These bio-gas plants are being set up under the National Bio-gas Manure Management Programme.

Kanthamma, another woman farmer of Sanevaripalle says that a farmer's family which gets involved in domestic dairy will be happy and strengthens village economy.  With seven cows at her disposal, she is not only providing pure and healthy milk to the large family but also  contributing to promotion of bio-manure which enriches the soil very much.