Biogas plant in khushab

 ADP is funding 15 new biogas plants in Soon Valley, in Khushab district in north-west Punjab. With a population of approximately 70,000 residing within 22 villages, this area is underdeveloped compared to the rest of the district due to smaller land holdings, ground water depletion and difficult topography. An agro-based community, Soon Valley has a substantial number of small farmers who do not have a basic gas supply in their area and therefore rely on wood as a source of basic fuel. As a result, several areas of the valley have witnessed tremendous deforestation and drought in the recent past.

The expectation is that the 15 plants slated to be established will meet the energy needs of approximately 360 people. ADP is funding the project in three stages. Each bio-gas plant costs approximately PKR 50,000 and 2 plants will be constructed in the first stage, 4 in the second and 9 in the final stage. In addition to the provision of a renewable energy source, environmental preservation, mitigation of health risks posed by wood burning to the women as well as the by-production of organic fertilizer are all foreseeable added benefits. The local farmers who are the primary beneficiaries will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the plants thereby ensuring sustainable community participation. Furthermore, some biogas plants (from previously non-ADP funded projects) are already functioning in the valley and conversations with the beneficiaries evidence high returns on investment.