Socio-economic impact of biogas plant (A case study of Tupche VDC, Nuwakot)

Abstract

This research is conducted into Tupche VDC of Nuwakot District. Here, the researcher had conducted the research on "Socio-Economic Impact of Biogas Plant'.

The overall objective of the study is to access the Socio-Economic Impact of Biogas on users in study area. The specific objective • To analyze the socio-economic characteristics of biogas households. • To access the impact of biogas on family- economy including agriculture production, • To examine the impact of biogas plant on daily time saving and pattern of use of save time on the biogas households. • To study the impact of biogas on health and sanitation of the households, members, and environmental impacts. • To find out impacts of biogas on the workloads of women

The study is exploratory as well as descriptive in nature. It is based on a sample of 30 households who were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. The data related to socio-economic condition such as Caste, Households, Family size, Occupation, Landholding, number of livestock, time to clean utensils before and after use of biogas and plant size were collected through observation FGD and Interview. Analysis of the data is made with numbers, Percentage and tables. Data has shown how the biogas plant helped to save firewood, time, reduce work loads and improvement on health and sanitation.

Most of the biogas users are Brahmins followed by Chhetris and Tamangs respectively. Data has shown that size of six m3 biogas plant is more popular in the study area. Biogas has been flourishing there as an appropriate energy source which has significant impacts on its users. As their expectation, they have gained easy and smoke-free environment for cooking. Shortage of firewood and workload is also managed through its use. After installation, there is sufficient time saved in firewood collection, cooking and washing the utensils. 57% HHs have used gained time in household works and 30% in agricultural works. Most of the users have utilized their saved time by involving themselves on care of children, income generating activities and others essentials. The installation of biogas plant has also influenced them towards better health and sanitation 67% HHs felt decrease in respiratory problem, 73% HHs realized decreased eye burning problem but 10% were indifferent in this regard. 83% households have realized that agricultural productivity has increased after use of biogas slurry.

In general, biogas plant has found to have very positive impacts on the users, which is found to be well appreciated. The outcome of the study shows that most of the sampled planned owners are very much satisfied with the performance of biogas plant because of positive economic, social, health, hygiene and sanitation, environment and time saving impacts. Many of the surveyed biogas plant are in good running conditions. Most of the plant owners are realizing increasing mosquito intensity after installation of biogas. More people are attracted towards biogas by seeing neighbor's plant. Hence, biogas has been flourishing as social acceptable, technically feasible, financial viable, economically profitable, and environmentally preferable technology.