Govt to build 64,000 biogas plants

The government has undertaken a project to establish 64,000 biogas plants and create employment for 1.28 lakh youth through creating new farms.

Under its “My Village, My Town” programme, the government would provide modern civic amenities to every village, and introduce biogas plants in farms to develop the country’s ecosystem using renewable energy.

The cost of the project has been estimated at Tk 209.17 crore, which will be provided from the government exchequer.

The Department of Youth Development, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, will implement the project by December 2023, a senior official of the Planning Commission told The Business Post.

Under the project, the implementing body will hold training and workshop programmes to train 1,47,600 youth for skill development.

Nasima Begum, member of the Socio-economic Infrastructure Division, said the project has been designed in an environment friendly manner.

“Establishing farms and biogas plants through micro-credit assistance will play a vital role to expand self-employment opportunities for rural youth,” she added.

“The project will develop the ecosystem and reduce pollution of environment through the use of renewable energy for cooking and power generation using biogas plants in all upazilas in the country,” she added.

As per the perspective plan 2021-41 under the ‘My Village My Town’, the project will ensure civic facilities and create employment in the rural areas, and also encourage and involve youth in agriculture-based small scale industries.

The project’s main objectives include creating employment and self-employment among the rural youth by setting up cattle and poultry farms, along with agriculture, to meet the country’s protein demand through milk, eggs and meat.

It will also provide loan assistance to youth become self-reliant in the rural areas.

Besides, it will reduce pollution and ensure a hygienic environment in cattle and poultry farms by installing biogas plant in 492 upazilas.

Meanwhile, the project has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently.