Assessing On-Farm Biogas for Smallholders in Punjab, India, 2025-28

Thesis Abstract

Smallholder dairy and crop-farming systems in Punjab, India, face energy insecurity, high cooking and lighting costs, and environmental concerns from reliance on conventional biomass and fossil fuels. This study investigates on-farm biogas adoption, performance, and socio-economic impacts among smallholders during 2025–2028, to inform policy and extension strategies that enhance energy reliability, reduce emissions, and improve farm profitability. The aim is to evaluate technical feasibility, economic viability, and socio-technical determinants of on-farm biogas systems in the Punjab context, with objectives to quantify biogas production and utilization, assess performance against household energy requirements, identify drivers and barriers to adoption, and formulate recommendations for scalable implementation. The study integrates a mixed-methods approach to capture quantitative performance metrics and qualitative experiences of farmers. The research design combines a cross-sectional survey with a longitudinal evaluation of selected biogas plants and a nested case-study of five villages with varying agro-economic profiles. The population comprises smallholder farmers (<5 ha) engaged in dairy, poultry, and crop enterprises within Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Bathinda districts. A stratified random sample of 240 households is selected, supplemented by in-depth interviews with 40 participants, and three focus groups. Data collection instruments include structured household surveys, biogas plant monitoring logs, energy balance worksheets, semi-structured interview guides, and farmer diaries. Instrument validity and reliability are established through pilot testing (n=30), expert panel reviews, and Cronbach’s alpha (target ?0.7) for survey scales. Descriptive statistics, regression analyses, and survival analysis will assess factors influencing biogas performance and ongoing operation. Primary analytical techniques include multivariate OLS/robust regression to link feedstock composition, temperature, and digester design to methane yield and stability; time-series analysis of monthly biogas output and calorific value; cost-benefit analysis incorporating capital, operation, maintenance, and opportunity costs; and a difference-in-differences framework to examine pre- and post-adoption impacts on household energy expenditures, irrigation costs, and fertilizer use. A thematic analysis of qualitative data will illuminate social acceptance, gender dynamics, knowledge transfer from extension services, risk perceptions, and policy constraints, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovations framework. A conceptual model mapping techno-economic performance, institutional factors, and farmer decision-making will be developed to synthesize findings. Expected outcomes include (i) quantitative benchmarks of biogas yield, methane content, digestion stability, and fuel replacement rates for typical Punjab feedstocks (cow dung, du estares, agricultural residues); (ii) a cost-effectiveness profile for different digester sizes (2–6 m3), subsidy scenarios, and operation regimes; (iii) identification of key drivers (availability of manure, water balance, credit access, and extension support) and barriers (land fragmentation,initial capital, and maintenance expertise); (iv) policy-relevant recommendations for scalable deployment, financing models, and training curricula; and (v) a decision-support tool for farmers and extension agents. The study contributes to knowledge by bridging agrarian energy systems with local micro-market dynamics, empirically testing the viability of small-scale biogas in a high-vegetation-density, high-dairy-output region, and informing policy on subsidies, training, and carbon-emission reductions. The main conclusion anticipates that well-designed, community-enabled biogas systems can materially reduce energy costs and emissions while improving manure management and fertilizer efficiency, provided that techno-economic conditions are aligned with accessible credit, reliable maintenance services, and context-specific technical adaptations. Recommendations include targeted financial assistance for digester installation and maintenance, capacity-building programs for farmers and local technicians, integration of biogas with farm waste management and irrigation practices, and policy alignment to promote climate-smart rural energy transitions in Punjab.