VNV Advisory

District

Kutch

States

Gujarat

The project, which is situated in Gujarat's Kutch area, intends to install solar PV systems to run the water pumps that salt producers utilise. More than 75% of the salt in India is produced by the "Agariyas," or salt farmers, in the Rann of Kutch. Pumping brine from surface or subsurface sources into the salt pans is an essential step in the salt farming process; however, farmers typically use diesel to run the pump, which is costly and unsustainable. Solar-powered systems offer decentralised and informal sectors dependable, economical, and ecologically sustainable energy. When implemented, the advantages include enhanced livelihoods with higher earnings and productivity, more social welfare, and lower costs for centralised infrastructure and fossil fuel subsidies.

By substituting wood or kerosene as the main cooking fuel, biogas initiatives help rural people meet their energy needs. Biogas is a fuel that could replace firewood and agricultural waste, which are now used for cooking and energy needs in homes. A rural Indian household uses inexpensive fuels like kerosene and firewood to meet their energy demands. Firewood usage accounts for the majority of the fuel dependency in project areas at the moment. This wood comes from the farm, the edge of the forest, or is bought from neighbourhood vendors who get it straight from the forest. However, using firewood traditionally hurts one's health, especially for the user, who is typically a woman and her children.
Cattle manure is used by each family to fuel the digester, which produces biogas. By replacing traditionally utilised non-renewable biomass, this lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, biodigester residue can be utilised as organic fertiliser to increase soil fertility