No LPG, no worry: This village in Kolhapur cooks food without cylinders, wood or coal

In a corner of Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district, some families are going about their daily cooking without worrying about LPG shortages or price spikes linked to the West Asia conflict. Their kitchens run on gas produced just a few steps away from their homes, using waste that would otherwise be discarded. The system has quietly insulated them from the anxiety seen in many parts of India over cooking fuel supply, a TOI report stated.

A kitchen powered by waste

Sanjay and Suvarna Farakte are among those who have made the shift. Their home does not use LPG, firewood, or induction stoves. Instead, for the past three years, they have relied entirely on a biogas unit set up in their backyard.

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The unit, with a capacity of three metric cubic metres, meets the needs of a family of five. It converts cattle dung, kitchen waste, and even sewage into usable gas. A pipe connects the digester directly to their kitchen, ensuring a steady supply for cooking and heating water.

Biogas also produces organic fertiliser as a by-product, adding value beyond fuel.

“The supply is steady and clean. I don’t cough or have breathing trouble from the smoke generated by its burning,” Suvarna said.

A village where biogas is common

In Faraktewadi village, located in Kagal tehsil, the Faraktes are not alone. Out of a population of around 1,100, nearly 200 households have installed similar biogas units.

The trend extends beyond one village. In at least 12 villages across Kolhapur district, every household has access to biogas systems. Some families that had stopped using their units are now reviving them, prompted by concerns over global fuel disruptions.

Weather plays a role, but backup exists

Villagers note that biogas production can slow during the monsoon months when temperatures drop. The bacteria responsible for decomposition work best in warmer conditions.

Even so, the gas output remains sufficient for basic cooking needs. As a precaution, many households keep cow dung cakes as a backup fuel during this period.

Government push and funding concerns

Kolhapur has seen large-scale adoption of biogas over the decades. Since 1982, around 1.24 lakh units have been installed under centrally sponsored schemes. The initiative began under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 20-point programme and continues under the current National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme.

The district alone contributes nearly 20% of Maharashtra’s overall target under the scheme.

Financial support has played a key role. The central government provides a subsidy of Rs 14,350 per unit, while the Kolhapur Zilla Parishad adds Rs 5,000 to cover construction costs such as cement, bricks, and labour.

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However, installations slowed last year after targets were met early and funding ran out. Local authorities are now waiting for the next phase of the programme. They have also asked for an increase in subsidy and timely release of funds.

“No family will set up biogas units without financial assistance. The subsidy is what they want. In recent years, Centre has not released its share. Only if the subsidy is released on time, and is hiked, will more rural households set up biogas units,” a ZP official said.

While global conflicts continue to affect fuel supply chains, villages like Faraktewadi offer a different model—one that depends less on external sources and more on local solutions. What began as a rural initiative has now become a shield against uncertainty, turning everyday waste into a steady source of energy.

(Source: TOI)