While government initiatives may encounter limitations in terms of promoting mass adoption, corporations are increasingly stepping in to fill the gap, making biogas technology more accessible to smallholder dairy farmers
The roots of our battle against climate change extend deep into history, reaching back to the landmark UN Scientific Conference of 1972, also known as the First Earth Summit, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Since then, a number of conferences and declarations have been convened, all aimed at addressing the escalating threat of climate change. While the discourse initially centred on industries, transportation, and electricity consumption, recent years have witnessed a shift in focus towards the agricultural sector.
The agricultural sector, although fundamental to our ecosystem, also harbours a troubling reality: it stands as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Recent IPCC's 2023 findings revealed that the agriculture sector contributes a staggering 24 percent of global emissions.
This shift in focus holds particular significance for developing nations like India, where agriculture serves as the predominant occupation for majorities. Here, the challenge posed by agricultural emissions is further exacerbated by the sector's
centrality to the economy and society at large. Addressing these emissions becomes not just an environmental imperative but also a socioeconomic necessity intertwined with the nation's development trajectory and the larger goal of becoming carbon neutral.
Consider India’s dairy sector, which, despite holding the title of the world’s largest milk producer, grapples with the significant challenge of methane emissions. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a by-product of dairy farming, contributing substantially to the sector's environmental footprint. Studies highlight the urgency of addressing these emissions, particularly in light of their impact on climate change.
Moreover, recent developments at the global stage have brought attention to the need for action within the dairy industry. The COP 28 held in Dubai in 2023 witnessed a deciding moment when major dairy giants signed the Global Methane Pledge, signalling a collective commitment to reduce methane emissions across the supply chain.
As India's dairy sector continues to expand, the imperative to address methane emissions becomes even more pressing. Mitigation strategies, such as the adoption of biogas technology, offer promising solutions to curb emissions while simultaneously addressing the sector's energy demands. By harnessing biogas technology, dairy farms can capture methane from animal waste, effectively reducing their environmental impact and contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.
Although biogas technology has been around for decades, recent years have witnessed a shift in perception among farmers, particularly concerning modern prefabricated biogas technology.
Revolutionising the process of converting waste into renewable natural gas, these modern systems offer numerous advantages over traditional methods. Their efficiency in generating energy for cooking, heating, agricultural activities, and decentralised electricity is unmatched. With added features like durability, portability, flexibility, and comprehensive services, these modern biogas plants empower smallholder dairy farmers to reduce their reliance on polluting firewood and expensive fossil fuels. Furthermore, the biofertilisers generated from these biogas plants reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers. Daily cooking from these modern biogas plants is fast, effortless, and smokeless, improving family health, especially among women and children.
This new and improved biogas technology addresses three of the most pressing challenges faced in developing countries like India: it supports key energy needs, such as cooking and livelihoods; it reduces methane emissions from cattle waste that would otherwise be absorbed by the atmosphere if left untreated; and it meets rising energy demands in a climate-responsible manner.
What makes modern biogas technology even more accessible to farmers is the proactive involvement and support provided by the government of India and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Through schemes like the National Biogas Programme and the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP), financial assistance is extended to smallholder dairy farmers, promoting the widespread adoption of biogas plants. These initiatives not only address key energy needs and reduce methane emissions but also contribute to improved sanitation, women's empowerment, and rural employment, aligning with India's sustainable development goals.
While government initiatives may encounter limitations in terms of promoting mass adoption, corporations are increasingly stepping in to fill the gap, making biogas technology more accessible to smallholder dairy farmers. Financial assistance provided by corporations through CSR initiatives plays a pivotal role in making biogas technology financially viable for smallholder farmers who may otherwise lack the resources to invest in such infrastructure.
Additionally, supporting the adoption of biogas technology among smallholder dairy farmers enables corporations to engage in carbon offset projects that have tangible, measurable impacts. By quantifying the emissions reductions achieved through these projects, corporations can effectively neutralise a portion of their own carbon footprint, contributing to their overall carbon neutrality goals.
This corporate involvement not only addresses financial barriers but also aligns with broader sustainability objectives. Investing in biogas projects allows corporations to showcase their commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment, bolstering their reputation in the process. These initiatives also directly contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including promoting good health and well-being, gender equality, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, and climate action.
In this battle against climate change, targeting emissions stemming from the agriculture sector, especially dairy farming, is critical. However, amidst the daunting task of reducing our environmental footprint, biogas has emerged as a powerful ally, boasting environmental, economic, and societal advantages for both dairy farmers and broader communities. By fostering collaboration between governments, corporations, and agricultural stakeholders, the wide scale adoption of biogas holds potential for realising ambitious carbon neutrality targets and steering us towards a more sustainable trajectory.
(Piyush Sohani, India Managing Director, Sistema.bio.)