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Bio-energy is a clean source of energy which improves sanitation, hygiene and the living style of the rural population. The technique is based on the decomposition of organic matter in the absence of air to produce gas. Bio-gas is used for cooking, and lighting fuel in specially designed stove and lamps respectively. According to one estimate, India has a capacity to produce bio-gas to the extent of 25,000 million cubic metres. The left over digested slurry serves as manure. This can meet 50 per cent of the rural domestic fuel requirements. Moreover, it can produce 7 million tonnes to nitrogen, 3 million tonnes phosphate, 5 million tonnes of potassium, and over 50 million tonnes of compost manure.
State | Estimated Potential | Production | Percentage of estimated potential |
1. Uttar Pradesh | 2,021,000 | 356,300 | 18 |
2. Madhya Pradesh | 1,491,000 | 192,950 | 13 |
3. Andhra Pradesh | 1,065,600 | 308,520 | 29 |
4. Bihar | 939,900 | 119,110 | 13 |
5. Rajasthan | 915,300 | 66,025 | 7 |
6. Maharashtra | 897,000 | 662,120 | 74 |
7. West Bengal | 2,021,000 | 356,310 | 18 |
8. Karnataka | 680,000 | 306,845 | 45 |
9. Tamil Nadu | 615,800 | 187,265 | 27 |
10. Gujarat | 554,000 | 343,700 | 62 |
] 1. Odisha | 605,500 | 171,760 | 28 |
Source: Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy.
It may be seen from Table 8.14 (hat Uttar Pradesh has the highest potential in bio-gas, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. The highest production of bio-gas is, however, in the state of Maharashtra (74%) followed by Gujarat (62%) and Karnataka (45%).
The development of bio-gas is adversely affected because of the non-availability of cattle dung, water, labour, space, and low temperatures in certain parts of the country, especially during the winter season.