Gujarat village turns cattle dung into clean cooking fuel for 368 families

In Zakariyapura, a village in Gujarat, daily cooking once came with a familiar set of hardships—smoke-filled kitchens, stinging eyes, and persistent breathing discomfort. Many households relied on traditional wood-fired stoves, and fuel costs or the effort of sourcing firewood added to already tight budgets. Over time, rising expenses also meant greater strain at home.

Today, the village is often cited as an example of how a simple, locally suitable clean-energy solution can improve health, reduce household spending, and create new livelihood opportunities—especially for women.

A simple idea that travelled from one village to another The shift began with Madhuben, a resident of Zakariyapura, who visited a biogas plant in a neighbouring village. Until then, she had not considered cattle dung as anything more than waste. Seeing a working biogas system changed that perspective.

Biogas plants convert a mixture of cattle dung and water into a gas that can be used for cooking. The process also produces a nutrient-rich by-product—commonly called slurry—that can be used as organic fertiliser.

After her visit, Madhuben returned convinced that the same idea could work in her own village. She spoke to others, encouraged community buy-in, and helped build momentum for adopting the renewable, household-level solution.

Biogas plants for all cattle-owning households With support from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), biogas plants were installed in all 368 cattle-owning households in Zakariyapura, according to the account reported by *The Better India*.

The impact was quickly visible in everyday routines. Families could move away from smoky wood-fired stoves, and many households also reduced dependence on LPG cylinders. For women—who typically spend the most time near the stove—this meant immediate relief from constant smoke exposure.

Residents reported fewer instances of eye irritation and breathing difficulty once kitchens became cleaner. At the same time, lower household fuel spending eased day-to-day financial pressure, which in turn helped reduce tension at home.

Just as importantly, the model worked with what the village already had: cattle, dung, water and a routine for daily collection. Instead of requiring a new supply chain, the plants turned existing resources into dependable cooking fuel.

From waste to income: women step into a new market The story did not stop at cleaner kitchens. The slurry produced by the plants became the foundation for a new income stream.

Women in Zakariyapura came together to form what is described as the country’s first all-women manual cooperative to process and sell the organic fertiliser in the market. This collective approach helped convert what was previously discarded into a product with demand.

As reported, households earned around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per month through this activity—an important supplement for families managing agricultural and household expenses.

The wider benefits are social as well as economic. With less time spent collecting firewood and managing smoke-heavy cooking, women could reclaim time for other work, rest, and community participation. Families also found it easier to support children’s learning routines, as household chores became less burdensome.

**Why it matters:** Zakariyapura’s experience shows how decentralised clean energy—backed by local leadership and institutional support—can improve health, reduce routine household costs, and create women-led livelihood opportunities, all by turning everyday waste into value.