Socio-Economic Impact of Bio-Gas Plant: A Case study of Keroun V.D.C; of Morang District.

Abstract

This study deals with the “Socio- Economic Impact of Biogas in Keroun VDC of Morang District”. The general objective of the study is to find out the 'socio economic impact of Biogas plant in Keroun VDC of Morang District, whereas the specific objectives are to assess the Socio-Economic characteristics of bio-gas users, to study the bio-gas as an alternative fuel source to forest recourses and to study the benefit of biogas Slurry. For the study, the extensive field visit was conducted in Keroun VDC of Morang district. Before selecting a topic, a brief review of the literature related to the impact study of biogas on users has been studied. Primary as well as secondary data have been used in this study. In this VDC, there were 2541 households. In the study area there were 469 households (in selected wards-5 and 6). About 50 households have been taken as sampled households out of 469 households. Sampled households were those who had installed biogas plant. Simple random sampling technique has been used to select sample. In this study data were collected from field survey by applying household survey questionnaire and observation method. This study found that majority of the households (50%) out of total interviewed reported that they had adopted agriculture as a main occupation. Average family size of the sampled household was 5.6 per household. About 84 percent plant owners out of total interviewed were literate whereas only 16 percent were illiterate. Average landholding size is 2.46 Bigha per household. About 50 percent out of total interviewed reported that they were from Brahmin caste. Out of total sampled biogas plant owners, majority of the households (84%) had taken loan from financial institutions. About 46 percent households reported that the main reason behind the installation of biogas plant was easy vi and smokeless cooking. Around 3 percent plant owners had attached toilet with the biogas plant. Average livestock population size of sampled household was 4.3 per household. Average dung production was 45 kegs per household. Majority of the respondents (82%) reported that the agricultural production had been increased. Total average time saving was 3 hrs per day per household. Average saving amount of money was Rs.7000/- per year per household. It was found that from the study, majority of the respondents (38 %) has used saved time on farm activities. This study also revealed that improvement was found in health and sanitation situation. Majority of the respondents (76%) out of total interviewed reported that their social status was raised. It was also found that women were highly benefited by the biogas plant (32. %). About 66 percent households out of total interviewed accepted that the overall energy, environmental and economic condition had been improved.