Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan)
GOBARdhan helps rural households, Gram Panchayats, and entrepreneurs convert cattle dung and agricultural waste into biogas and organic compost — reducing LPG costs and generating income. It supports individual families with 3–4 cattle, village clusters, community groups, and commercial biogas plant operators through Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) funding. Apply through your local Gram Panchayat, which identifies beneficiaries and coordinates with district agencies.
About This Scheme
GOBARdhan helps rural households, Gram Panchayats, and entrepreneurs convert cattle dung and agricultural waste into biogas and organic compost — reducing LPG costs and generating income. It supports individual families with 3–4 cattle, village clusters, community groups, and commercial biogas plant operators through Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) funding. Apply through your local Gram Panchayat, which identifies beneficiaries and coordinates with district agencies.
Full official description
Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) was launched by the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation in April 2018 as a part of the Solid and Liquid Waste Management component under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) to positively impact village cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste. The main focus of GOBARDHAN is to keep villages clean, increase the income of rural households, and generate energy and organic manure from cattle waste. As rural India has already attained the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, the importance of GOBARDHAN has increased as it supports the villages in achieving ODF-plus status, which is an important objective of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II.
GOBARDHAN: Waste to Wealth program has been designed to provide a common platform for schemes of different Ministries/Departments such as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE); Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG); Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD); Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DACFW); Department of Rural Development; and Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS). DDWS is the coordinating Department for the implementation of the scheme. DDWS also provides technical and financial assistance to States/UTs for the implementation of GOBARDHAN projects under SBM-G.
Objectives
- To support villages in effectively managing their cattle waste, agricultural waste/residue, and all other organic waste
- To support communities to convert their organic waste (especially cattle dung) to wealth through the generation of manure and energy out of waste
- To create livelihood opportunities in rural areas and enhance the income of farmers and other rural people by supporting them to convert their waste to wealth
- To promote rural entrepreneurship by involving entrepreneurs, SHGs, and Youth Groups in the setting up and operation and management of biogas plants
- To promote environmental sanitation and curb vector-borne diseases through effective disposal of waste in rural areas
Benefits
- Biogas from cattle dung reduces household LPG spending, saving families money
- Organic compost/manure produced improves farm productivity and soil health
- Employment and income opportunities for SHGs, farmer groups, and rural entrepreneurs
- Helps villages achieve ODF-plus (Open Defecation Free plus) status under SBM-G
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and vector-borne diseases
- Supports rural entrepreneurship and self-help group income generation
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Individual households with a minimum of 3–4 cattle, identified by the Gram Panchayat
- Clusters of households organized through cooperatives, milk unions, FPOs, SHGs, or private entrepreneurs
- Community groups identified by Gram Panchayats
- Commercial operators including entrepreneurs, cooperatives, gaushalas, and dairies (for large biogas/CBG plants)
- Priority given to villages with high cattle populations
How to Apply
Step 1: The Gram Panchayat will identify the beneficiaries with the support of SHGs/FPOs/milk cooperatives/milk unions/ private entrepreneurs/CBOs developed under DAY-NRLM/agencies selected or empanelled by States/Districts/BDTCs etc. Step 2: The project plan document will be prepared with the support of identified/empanelled agencies/ BDTCs etc. masons/barefoot technicians/engineers who would construct the biogas plants will be identified. Step 3: Approval for administrative and technical proposals will be sought from competent authorities. O&M plan should also be part of the project proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Full Name Of GOBARdhan Scheme?
The full name of GOBARdhan scheme is Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan).
What Is Biomethanation?
Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is converted under anaerobic conditions to biogas and bioslurry.
What Are The Categories Of Biogas Plants Envisaged Under GOBARDHAN?
The biogas plants envisaged under GOBARDHAN can be classified under four broad models: Individual Household Model, Cluster Model, Community Model, Commercial Model.
What Is The Minimum Capacity Of Biogas Plant For Individual Household Level?
For Individual household level, biogas plants of 2 cum capacity will be installed in each of the identified households.
What Is The Ideal Location For Biogas Plant For Community Model?
The plant can also be constructed near/at gaushalas/institutions. For uninterrupted supply of organic wastes, community plant should preferably be located not far from the beneficiary households or near/at gaushalas, marketplaces etc. This will ensure the sustainability of such plant in the long run as well as promote business models.
How Do The State And Districts Promote The Construction Of Commercial Units As Part Of The GOBARDHAN Scheme?
The State and Districts will promote the construction of commercial units as part of the GOBARDHAN scheme through the following ways:
- Create enabling policy provisions for entrepreneurs and businesses to set up commercial units
- Support entrepreneurs and businesses to avail loans/financial assistance being provided under the schemes of various departments/institutions
- Create awareness of the business potential of commercial plants so that more such plants are set up.
- Promote uptake of slurry by Government Departments and other allied organizations.
- Provide land on lease for the project, wherever needed
What Are The Funding Sources To Set Up Large CBG Plants?
Large CBG plants are to be set up through self-financing. However, financing/assistance can be availed from other sources such as: Commercial loans, Waste to Energy programme of MNRE, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of DACFW, CSR and other sources, Swachh Bharat Kosh.
What Is Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)?
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of DACFW: AIF provides financial support for investment in viable projects relating to post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. All loans under this financing facility will have an interest subvention of 3 percent per annum up to a limit of loan amount of Rs. 2 crores. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of 7 years.
How Will The GOBARDHAN Projects Implemented?
GOBARDHAN projects can be implemented by GPs through SHGs/Farmers Producers Organisations/CBOs developed under DAY-NRLM/Milk Cooperatives/Milk Unions/Agencies selected or empaneled by States or Districts/Biogas Development and Training Centres (BDTCs), etc.
What Should Be Included In The Project Proposal?
The project proposal will include the cost of planning, implementation and operation and maintenance.
How Will Suitable Location For Community Projects Be Identified?
The GP will identify a suitable location for community projects through a Gram Sabha resolution.
Is There Any Application Fee For The GOBARdhan Scheme?
No, there is no application fee for the GOBARdhan scheme.
What Are The Benefits Of The GOBARdhan Scheme?
The benefits of the GOBARdhan scheme include the production of biogas and organic fertilizers, reduction in pollution, and additional income for rural households.
How Does The GOBARdhan Scheme Help In Reducing Pollution?
The GOBARdhan scheme helps in reducing pollution by promoting the use of bio-waste and organic resources for biogas production and organic fertilizers, which reduces the emission of harmful gases.
Can A Farmer With A Small Cattle Farm Apply For The GOBARdhan Scheme?
Yes, a farmer with a small cattle farm can apply for the GOBARdhan scheme.
What Is The Repayment Period For The Subsidy Amount Availed Under The GOBARdhan Scheme?
There is no repayment period for the subsidy amount availed under the GOBARdhan scheme.
Can An Individual Apply For The GOBARdhan Scheme?
Yes, an individual can apply for the GOBARdhan scheme provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Is There Any Training Provided Under The GOBARdhan Scheme?
Yes, training is provided under the GOBARdhan scheme on the construction and maintenance of biogas plants and the use of organic fertilizers.
Can An Existing Biogas Plant Owner Apply For The GOBARdhan Scheme?
Yes, an existing biogas plant owner can apply for the GOBARdhan scheme for the installation of additional capacity.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar Card.
- Corporate Identification Number (CIN)/ Registration Number.
- Permanent Account Number (PAN).
- Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTN).
- Plant/Project Details.
- Financial Statement.