Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan programme (GOBARdhan) seeks to increase agricultural revenue by turning biodegradable refuse into Compressed Biogas. It is carried out by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti government as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin-Phase 2. It was launched in 2018. The programme seeks to entice businesses to set up community-based CBG plants in rural regions. This article explains about GOBARdhan - Galvanising Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan, which is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

GOBARdhan - Galvanising Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan

• The GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) - DHAN programme was introduced by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
• As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the programme is being enacted. .
• The plan seeks to improve community sanitation while also generating wealth and energy from livestock and organic refuse.
• The plan also seeks to increase income for farmers and other rural residents by providing new rural livelihood possibilities.
• Apart from converting waste to electricity, the Gobar Dhan Yojana aims to make farms self-sufficient.
• This plan will aid in the management and reuse of bovine excrement, making the country "Open Defecation Free."

GOBARdhan - Objective

• The Gobardhan Scheme's primary objectives are to raise rural revenue, create rural employment, and keep villages clean through solid waste control.
• As a result, the GobarDhan Scheme 2020 seeks to favourably impact Gram Panchayats through the following three elements:-
• Energy: Energy self-sufficiency achieved through the use of farming and livestock refuse to produce bio-energy via biogas facilities.
• Empowerment: Empowerment entails involving rural residents, particularly women's self-help organisations, in the building, administration, and day-to-day activities of biogas plants.
• Employment: Creating employment for rural youth and women through refuse gathering, conveyance to treatment plants, treatment plant administration, selling and dissemination of biogas produced, and so on.
• The plan aims to handle and transform agricultural cattle dung and solid refuse into compost, bio-slurry, bio-gas, and bio-CNG.
• This project will promote the recovery of biodegradable refuse and the turning of trash into resources.

GOBARdhan - Features

• Dung fuel - The government has stated that it will make the greatest use of solid refuse excreted by cattle. The dung can be converted into a sort of biofertilizer that the locals can use to power their stoves at home. The gasoline can be used to subsidise CNG and LPG vehicles.
• Villagers Advantage - The government's new plan seeks to improve the lives of peasants. This will also teach people not to urinate in public areas. This aids in the preservation of cleanliness.
• Income generation - At the moment, producers rely solely on agricultural yields to generate revenue. Farmers will be able to produce more revenue as a result of the scheme's implementation. Farmers do not need to spend large sums of money in buying fundamental raw materials because they only need to use animal waste.
• Compost - The government has also stated that farmers will be able to use readily accessible Compost fertiliser for their farm lands under the plan. The government will teach farms on how to set up their own composting facilities.
• Infrastructure development - Under this plan, the government seeks to improve the existing infrastructure in order to encourage growth in villages and increase the country's overall GDP. The plan requires the government to demonstrate that it has used improved development methods.
• Power production – As part of the plan, the government has committed to producing fuel in the form of biogas. Furthermore, the government has stated that biogas can be used to generate energy for communities due to the abundance of excess dung.
• Invite Corporate Sectors - The government has also stated that as the plan develops and lower forms of fuel are developed, corporate sectors may be interested in spending their money in remote areas.
• Clean India - The plan was introduced by the government in response to Gandhi's anniversary campaign in 2014. The concept of transforming waste into something beneficial has been adopted in the plan as part of the government's drive.
• Animal husbandry - In today's world, animal husbandry is a very prevalent enterprise within villages. However, the dung is typically wasted because it is not fully used up. The government will give people the chance to earn money by selling dung to the officials under the plan.
• Long-term goals - Currently, the country ranks sixth in the world for biogas production. Even with more cars on the road, over 95 percent of vehicles require more gasoline. This implies that the nation requires more fuel to power its cars. With its expanding industry, the nation hopes to generate more fuel possibilities by 2022.

GOBARdhan - Benefits of the Scheme

• Helpful for the nation because India has the world's largest bovine population, close to 300 million, with a daily production of 3 million tonnes of manure.
• Encourage farms to view dung and other refuse as a source of revenue rather than a loss.
• Rural residents will benefit. The community will be simpler to keep clean and sanitary, livestock health will improve, and agricultural yields will increase.
• Increase energy self-sufficiency in heating and illumination.
• Provides stable fuel supply in the market for energy firms and accessible financing in the market for businesses through government programmes and banks.

Conclusion

The Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) programme is being administered by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti ministry as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin-Phase 2. The plan seeks to increase producers' revenue by converting biodegradable refuse into compressed biogas. (CBG). The programme seeks to entice businesses to set up community-based CBG plants in rural regions.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the primary objective of the GOBAR-DHAN scheme?

A) To increase the production of biogas
B) To improve rural sanitation and waste management
C) To generate renewable energy through solar power
D) To provide subsidies for organic farming

2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the GOBAR-DHAN scheme?

A) Biogas production
B) Organic waste composting
C) Solar power generation
D) Waste-to-energy conversion

3. How does GOBAR-DHAN contribute to the clean energy transition?

A) By promoting the use of wind energy
B) By encouraging the use of traditional fuels
C) By producing renewable energy in the form of biogas
D) By focusing on electric vehicle technology

4. Which of the following is a key feature of the GOBAR-DHAN scheme?

A) Creation of urban sanitation infrastructure
B) Conversion of waste to wealth through biogas and compost
C) Promotion of fossil fuel-based energy
D) Financial incentives for chemical fertilizers

5. Which of the following sectors benefits directly from the GOBAR-DHAN scheme?

A) Urban infrastructure development
B) Agriculture and rural energy
C) Industrial waste management
D) Tourism and hospitality

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the importance of the GOBAR-DHAN scheme in addressing the challenges of rural waste management and its role in promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Answer: The GOBAR-DHAN scheme is critical in addressing rural waste management challenges by converting organic waste into compost and biogas. It provides rural households with a clean energy alternative to traditional fuels, thereby reducing deforestation and improving health standards. Additionally, it contributes to soil fertility by promoting composting. By integrating waste management with energy production, the scheme supports India’s vision of a circular economy, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and promoting rural livelihoods. The scheme aligns with India’s broader environmental goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving energy independence.

Q2: Examine the potential impact of the GOBAR-DHAN scheme on rural employment and the agricultural sector in India.

Answer: The GOBAR-DHAN scheme has significant potential to enhance rural employment and the agricultural sector. By promoting the collection, processing, and sale of organic waste, it generates jobs in rural areas. Farmers can use biogas for energy and compost for enhancing soil fertility, leading to improved agricultural productivity. The scheme also encourages rural entrepreneurship through the establishment of waste-to-energy units and composting businesses. By reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and providing cleaner energy, the scheme improves sustainability in agriculture while creating long-term employment opportunities in waste management and energy sectors.

Q3: How can the GOBAR-DHAN scheme contribute to India’s climate change mitigation goals and sustainable development?

Answer: The GOBAR-DHAN scheme contributes to India’s climate change mitigation goals by reducing methane emissions from organic waste and promoting the use of renewable energy in rural areas. Biogas production from waste helps replace traditional, polluting fuels like wood and crop residue, reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, the production of compost supports sustainable farming practices by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, which are energy-intensive to produce. The scheme aligns with India’s sustainable development agenda by fostering rural economic growth, improving energy access, and reducing environmental degradation, contributing to a greener and more resilient economy.

Previous Year Questions on GOBAR-DHAN and Waste Management

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2022 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "How can India achieve sustainable waste management in rural areas, and what role can government schemes like GOBAR-DHAN play in this process?"

Answer: India can achieve sustainable waste management in rural areas by promoting waste segregation, recycling, and the conversion of organic waste into useful products like biogas and compost. The GOBAR-DHAN scheme plays a crucial role by facilitating the processing of organic waste into biogas and compost, reducing environmental pollution, and generating renewable energy. It supports rural livelihoods by creating jobs in waste management and energy production. The government can further strengthen the scheme by integrating it with other rural development initiatives and encouraging private sector participation in waste-to-energy projects.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "What are the key challenges in implementing the GOBAR-DHAN scheme, and how can these challenges be overcome?"

Answer: Key challenges in implementing the GOBAR-DHAN scheme include lack of infrastructure in remote areas, insufficient awareness, and inadequate technical support for waste processing units. To overcome these challenges, the government can provide financial incentives, enhance community participation, and build strong public-private partnerships. Additionally, awareness campaigns and capacity-building programs for rural communities can ensure the scheme's success. Collaboration with local bodies and NGOs can improve infrastructure and provide technical support, making the scheme more sustainable and impactful.