Sustainable Energy Initiatives

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Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, sustaining the livelihoods of 40 percent of the world’s population, many of whom continue to live in poverty (United Nations, 2015). Irrigation, particularly through solar water irrigation, is among the measures that can improve yields, reduce vulnerability to changing rainfall patterns, and enable multiple cropping practices (FAO, 2011). As such, irrigation is often seen as the engine that helps to ensure food security, generates incomes, provides jobs, and drives rural development. Energy is a key input for irrigation services, and integrating clean energy solutions like eco cookstoves and a bio gas program can further enhance these efforts. 

1. The Project anticipates demonstrating a sustainable model through community contribution - water, food, and income security using clean energy.

2. Solar powered water pumping systems can be of great benefit for regions like Dungarpur, where we get sunlight throughout the year, barring a few monsoon days.

3. The project will also establish a mechanism to maintain these systems for the long run.

With its focus on SDG 7 – to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for development, Sustain Plus Energy Foundation, in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board, supports an impactful and scalable project that utilizes clean energy solutions for development. This initiative aims to leverage decentralized renewable energy, including a bio gas program, to catalyze social, economic, and environmental impacts, driving prosperity and well-being on a more equitable and meaningful scale. 

As part of this effort, 120 Flexi Bio Gas Units have been established by PEDO for dairy farmers. By mixing 50 kg of cow dung with 100 liters of water daily, these units produce cooking gas equivalent to 1.5 cylinders of LPG, sufficient for one and a half months. With a lifespan of approximately 25 years, these flexi units not only provide free cooking gas but also produce slurry that is converted into PROM (Phosphate Rich Organic Manure), enriching the soil further. Additionally, they generate extra income for dairy farmers through the sale of Bio-Slurry.

PEDO has recently launched a campaign to install 5000 bio-gas units across the district, alongside promoting eco cookstoves and solar water irrigation systems to enhance sustainable agricultural practices.

This program was initiated in one of the panchayats, Surata, where two of the initially targeted villages have been completely solar electrified. Due to the remote and scattered settlement patterns, providing basic amenities like water supply, sewage, drainage, and electricity has been a challenge. In the past, PEDO had experimented with solar powered lights and decided to implement this as a pilot project to light up homes. Additionally, the program aligns with efforts like the bio gas program and eco cookstoves to promote sustainability. The lights are purchased by PEDO, and a group of local youth has been trained to install and maintain them. Half of the funding for the lights is provided by the community, while the remainder has been managed by PEDO through corporate funds. Furthermore, there are plans to incorporate solar water irrigation systems to enhance agricultural productivity in the area.

With the support of Climate DETOX Pvt. Ltd., PEDO has distributed around 35,000 eco cookstoves in the region of Dungarpur, creating smoke-free kitchens and enabling around 1,50,000 people to come out of the risk of indoor air pollution. Additionally, this initiative complements our bio gas program and solar water irrigation efforts, promoting sustainable living in the community.