Waste-to-Fuel: Goa village offers biogas model amid West Asia crisis

As concerns over fuel security intensify in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, a village in North Goa is showcasing a sustainable alternative by converting organic waste into cooking gas.In Mayem, a biogas plant set up by the Department of Panchayati Raj is turning cow dung into a reliable and clean source of fuel, offering a decentralised solution to rising energy challenges. The facility processes nearly 5,000 kilograms of cow dung daily and generates around 130 cubic metres of biogas, which is used for cooking purposes.
The initiative has been implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) as part of the GOBARdhan Initiative, focusing on converting biodegradable waste into clean energy while improving rural waste management systems.Goa Cabinet Minister Mauvin Godinho said the project highlights how waste can be transformed into a valuable resource. He noted that biogas offers a clean and efficient energy solution while promoting better waste management practices at the community level.
According to information,currently the plant supplies gas to two main kitchens and 13 residential units within a gaushala, benefiting around 15 families. With a processing capacity of about 5 tonnes of cow dung per day, the plant demonstrates the potential to cater to nearly 80–100 households, depending on usage patterns.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs1.97 crore, the Mayem facility is the only operational project in Goa at this scale converting cow dung into biogas. Officials say it could serve as a replicable model for other regions, especially as interest grows in decentralised alternatives to LPG amid global energy uncertainties..