Economic and Environmental Benefits of Biogas Plant and its Impact on Women Health in Punjab Pakistan

Abstract

Solid fuel consumption leads to increase indoor air pollution and health burden. The study aims to quantify the impact of biogas fuel on women’s health and to conduct the economic feasibility of the biogas plant by considering environmental benefits. The study was based on primary data, collected through a well-structured questionnaire from 282 respondents by employing a multistage sampling technique. We employed the Poisson regression model cost-benefit analysis and internal rate of return (IRR). The results indicated that total time spends in the kitchen and polluted cooking sources has a positive and number of windows in the kitchen, education has a significantly negative impact on the frequency of diseases among women working in the kitchen. Biogas contributes to improving the environmental and economic wellbeing that subsequently flourishes the living standard of rural people. The benefit-cost ratio indicated that Rs. 1.2 can be generated in return by spending Rs.1 on small size biogas plants. The internal rate of return from a single small size biogas plant is 30 percent. All sizes of biogas plants can recover its cost in 4th year after the plant installation. So, we can suggest that biogas can be the finest and profitable substitute for solid fuel.