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1.2 Direct Benefits of Biogas
1.2.1 Cooking
One of the major uses of biogas is in cooking food. Because biogas is a smokeless fuel, its use helps
in prevention of smoke-induced diseases. The utensils remain soot-less after cooking and their
cleaning also becomes easier. The use of biogas in cooking results in a significant amount of time
saved, for, the need for firewood collection is eliminated and cooking and cleaning jobs become
easier and much faster. The time thus saved can be utilised in other productive activities in order to
increase the family income.
1.2.2 Lighting
Biogas is also used for the purpose of lighting the house in the evening and at night. Supply of fuel
like kerosene for lighting purpose in the remote hilly areas of Nepal is difficult and expensive and
biogas, being cheaper and locally available fuel, can help in improving the supply situation. Since
the biogas lamp provides much brighter light than a traditional kerosene lamp, there is a better
environment for children's education and other household chores.
1.2.3 Other Uses
In addition to the above mentioned uses, biogas can also be used for various purposes like
refrigeration, running of duel-fuel engines such as operation of motor or transport vehicles etc.,
electricity generation, etc. Such use of biogas, however, is to date not common in Nepal.
1.3 Indirect Benefits of Biogas
1.3.1 Effect of Biogas in Agriculture
Chemical fertiliser is not produced in Nepal and the country is dependant on imports to fulfil the
demand. The imported fertiliser is expensive involving huge amounts of valuable foreign currency
reserves. The supply is very erratic and the prices at the end user's level axe growing rapidly. Most
of the farmers are gradually becoming unable to afford the chemical fertiliser and in this context the
bi-product of a biogas plant, the slurry, can be a source of alternate fertiliser. The slurry is used to
produce compost fertiliser which can be very valuable because it is highly nutrient is locally
produced, and involves little additional cost to produce. The slurry can be used as follows:
• as major fertilising agent replacing the chemical fertiliser;
• as a supplementary fertiliser;
• as an insecticide;
• in the production of fruits and vegetable with higher economic and nutrient value; and
• in the production of high protein fodder.
Installation of biogas plants can also helps in increasing volume of the livestock farming. Because
the livestock is to be kept in the stall, there is no need for allocating land for pasture use and
additional land is available for cultivating purpose. Similarly the problem of over-grazing is also
eliminated. The slurry can also be used in feeding material for pig and fish and hence, there is the
potential for increased farming of pigs and fish.
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