Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 5: Amid rising concerns over fuel security following the West Asia crisis, a village in North Goa is showcasing a sustainable solution by converting organic waste into cooking fuel through a biogas plant.

Set up in Mayem by the Department of Panchayati Raj, the facility processes nearly 5,000 kg of cow dung daily to generate around 130 cubic metres of biogas, providing a decentralised and eco-friendly energy source.

State minister Mauvin Godinho said the initiative demonstrates how waste can be transformed into a valuable energy resource. “Biogas is a clean and efficient solution that turns waste into energy. Effective waste management is about creating value,” he said.

The project has been implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) as part of the GOBARdhan Initiative, focusing on converting biodegradable waste into clean fuel while strengthening rural waste management.

Officials said the plant processes about five tonnes of cow dung daily, with each tonne yielding 35–40 cubic metres of biogas. The output is sufficient to meet the cooking needs of around 80 to 100 households, though currently it serves about 15 families within a gaushala facility.

The project, estimated to cost ?1.97 crore, is the only one of its scale in Goa and is seen as a model for decentralised energy generation and environmental sustainability.

Authorities believe the Mayem plant could be replicated in other regions as a viable alternative to LPG, especially in the context of rising energy costs.