Socio-Economic Impact of Biogas Plant on Users: A Case Study of Dharampur VDC, Jhapa District

Abstract

This research was conducted in Dharampur VDC of Jhapa district. The title of the study was Socio-Economic Impact of Biogas Plant on Users. necessary information data were gathered from 26 respondents household of Biogas Plant users using interview schedule. The study has presented a description and assessment of various Socio-Economic Impact of Biogas Plant Users in the study area. The study has focused on particular attention to advantages of utilization of Biogas Plant, energy, time and financial advantages, improvement of health sanitation and environment and advantages of slurry in agricultural production after utilization of Biogas Plant. From the field survey, it is found that the majority of respondent household use the Biogas only for easy cooking not for lighting and found satisfied with their Biogas Plants. Agriculture is the main occupation of the Biogas Plant users. Respondent households about 84.61 percent respondents were engaged in agriculture. Due to the installation of Biogas Plant in the households, required money for buying firewood, Kerosene and required time for collecting firewood and cooking was highly saved and that saving money is utilized 65.38 percent household for educational activities, and the saving time is utilized agricultural as well as income generating activities. Majority of the Biogas Plant users household had realized that there were substantially changes: improved indoor health condition through smokeless cooking, improved in sanitation and reducing burning firewood, agricultural residue, Cow dung directly helped to improved clean outdoor environment. Slurry is highly used for agricultural production. More than 90 percent sampled respondents household were used the slurry in agriculture and of the total respondent 42.30 percent responded that the slurry is more fertile than dung. They were highly satisfied with slurry and 69.23 percent Biogas users household have used slurry for agro crops. It is found in the study area that, overall positive Socio-Economic Impact of Biogas Plant on Users household. It also has helped to save money, time, energy and also helped to clean health, sanitation and environment. And the slurry is highly accepted by the users in their agriculture that significantly improved the agricultural production.