A quiet biogas revolution is taking place in Pabna. At a time when natural gas shortages are affecting Dhaka and other gas-supplied regions across Bangladesh, many households in the district are meeting their cooking fuel demands through biogas produced from cattle waste, highlighting the technology’s potential as a sustainable alternative energy source.
The use of biogas has expanded significantly in the upazilas of Bera, Sathia, Pabna Sadar, Sujanagar, Ishwardi, Atgharia, and Chatmohar. Families with livestock are producing their own cooking fuel, while some are also generating electricity from biogas. In addition, many households are producing organic fertilizer from the residual slurry and selling it in local markets.
According to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), Bangladesh now has more than 100,000 biogas plants. Data from SREDA, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), and other organizations involved in the sector show steady growth over the years, despite some plants becoming inactive. The number of plants rose from about 42,000 in 2011 to around 60,000 in 2015 and 76,000 in 2020 before surpassing the 100,000-mark in recent years.
Masum Fakir, a resident of Krishnapur village in Bera Upazila, has been using biogas to cook meals for his family of eight for the past 15 years. The system not only saves fuel costs, but also produces organic fertilizer.
Fifteen years ago, Masum established a three-cubic-foot biogas plant, the first of its kind in the village. He currently owns five cows and uses cattle manure to generate gas. The plant requires cleaning only once every four to five years. Previously, he used biogas for lighting as well, but now relies on electricity and uses the gas solely for cooking.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Masum said the surplus gas produced by his plant could easily supply cooking fuel to three additional families.
His wife, Fatima, said the family saves approximately Tk 4,000 per month on fuel expenses by using biogas. The system can also power a fan and provide lighting if needed.
She described biogas as a profitable venture, as livestock owners can secure free cooking fuel while earning an additional Tk 2,000–2,500 per month by selling organic fertilizer made from the leftover slurry.
Another successful user is former union chairman Abdul Gani Fakir, who established a biogas plant using manure from indigenous cattle. His family has relied on biogas for cooking fuel for more than 15 years.
His son, Liton Fakir, said the family initially owned around 50 cattle when the plant was installed. Although their herd is smaller today, the system remains operational.
He believes biogas could play a major role in Bangladesh’s energy sector if supported by government initiatives.
“This sector has the potential to become a major opportunity for the country,” he said.
Taslim Hosnain of Boalia village in Sujanagar Upazila said his family has been cooking with biogas generated from the waste of just two cows for the past 10 years. The fertilizer produced as a by-product is also used in agriculture.
“There are four biogas plants in our village. Their use has helped ease the local fuel crisis, and their popularity is increasing every day,” he said.
According to Taslim, installing a biogas plant is not particularly expensive. His family spent around Tk 28,000 to build theirs.
A typical household biogas plant consists of an underground chamber where cattle manure or poultry waste is mixed with water and allowed to ferment. The resulting gas is channeled through pipes to household kitchens, while the remaining slurry is used as organic fertilizer.
Biogas production in Pabna is being driven by dairy farmers, local entrepreneurs, and ordinary households, often with support from government and nongovernment organizations. Cow dung and poultry waste are the primary feedstocks used in the region.
Organizations such as Grameen Shakti and IDCOL have been actively involved in constructing and maintaining biogas plants.
Basu Dev, IDCOL’s representative in Pabna, told Dhaka Tribune that the organization has been working in the sector since 2006.
“So far, more than 2,000 biogas plants have been installed in Pabna district alone,” he said.
Engineer Md Delwar of Grameen Shakti said the organization began working on biogas in 2005 and has installed more than 40,000 plants nationwide, with hundreds located in Pabna.
Experts note that efforts to promote biogas in Bangladesh began shortly after independence, but the sector has failed to achieve its full potential due to inadequate guidance and limited policy attention.
They note that biogas plants require regular maintenance and a steady supply of organic waste, leading some households to favor LPG cylinders and other conventional fuels.
Energy expert Professor M Shamsul Alam told Dhaka Tribune that biogas is widely regarded as an environmentally friendly source of energy.
“A small household biogas plant may cost between Tk 30,000 and Tk 50,000 to install. Given the availability of raw materials, biogas has strong potential to become one of the country’s key renewable energy sources. However, due to insufficient public engagement and policy support, the sector has not progressed as expected,” he said.
According to Professor Alam, biogas must develop a viable commercial market if it is to emerge as a meaningful alternative to conventional fuels.
“The government has included biogas among its initiatives to address the country’s energy challenges. However, private efforts alone will not be sufficient. Creating commercial demand is essential if biogas is to become a significant alternative energy source,” he added.