Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is a flagship scheme by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, launched in April 2018 as an integral component of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II. Its core vision is to transform cattle dung and organic waste into valuable resources like biogas and compost, promoting cleanliness and wealth generation in rural India. In our decades of service to the farming community in Kasaragod district, Kerala, we have seen how effective waste-to-wealth initiatives can create new income streams for farmers while addressing environmental challenges. Vikas Agro Service, while specialising in pumpsets, irrigation systems, and agricultural machinery, recognises the importance of such complementary schemes in building a sustainable and prosperous agricultural ecosystem.

About the GOBARdhan Scheme

As a "Waste to Wealth" program, GOBARdhan provides a common platform for various ministries, including the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare. Coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, it provides technical and financial assistance to States/UTs for implementing projects under SBM-G, helping villages achieve ODF-Plus status by effectively managing organic waste. Based on our interactions with farmers, we have observed that those who adopt such sustainable practices not only contribute to environmental cleanliness but also reduce their dependence on external inputs like LPG and chemical fertilisers. ^[1]

Objectives

The scheme is designed with multi-faceted goals to benefit the community and environment, as outlined by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation:

Support villages in effectively managing cattle, agricultural, and other organic waste.
Convert organic waste (especially cattle dung) to wealth through manure and energy generation.
Create livelihood opportunities and enhance income for farmers and rural households.
Promote rural entrepreneurship by involving SHGs, FPOs, and youth groups in biogas plant management.
Improve environmental sanitation and curb vector-borne diseases through effective waste disposal.

Key Focus Areas

The implementation of GOBARdhan covers various models tailored to different community and individual needs:

Individual Household Model: Biogas plants for individual households identified by Gram Panchayats.
Cluster Model: For clusters of households with 3-4 cattle, involving cooperatives, FPOs, and SHGs.
Community Model: Larger plants serving communities identified by Gram Panchayats.
Commercial Model: Large biogas/Compressed Bio-gas (CBG) plants set up by entrepreneurs, Gaushalas, or dairies.

GOBARdhan Plants in Kerala

The GOBARdhan initiative has been successfully implemented across Kerala, with several functional plants in Kasaragod district alone. As of November 2025, over 1,516 biogas plants have been registered under the scheme across India, of which 1,103 are functional. The table below highlights the plants in Kasaragod district, Kerala:

#SN	District	Block	GP	Village	Name of the Plant	Name of the Entity	Status	Gas Production Capacity
1	KASARGOD	KASARGOD	CHENGALA	MUTTATHODY	District Panchayath GOBARdhan Biogas Plant	District Suchitwa Mission Kasaragod	Functional	20 m³/day
2	KASARGOD	NILESHWAR	KAYYUR CHEEMENI	CHEEMENI	Open Jail Kayyur Cheemeni GOBARdhan Biogas Plant	District Suchitwa Mission Kasaragod	Functional	20 m³/day
3	KASARGOD	NILESHWAR	PILICODE	KODAKKAD	MRS Pilicode GOBARdhan Biogas Plant	District Suchitwa Mission Kasaragod	Functional	10 m³/day

Source: District Suchitwa Mission, Kasaragod.^[2]

Implementing Agencies in Kerala

The key agencies facilitating GOBARdhan implementation in Kerala include:

Suchitwa Mission – Nodal agency for implementing SBM-G in the state.
District Suchitwa Mission, Kasaragod – Responsible for the functional plants listed above.
Integrated Rural Technology Centre (IRTC) – Accredited agency providing technical assistance for waste management projects.
Gram Panchayats – Identify beneficiaries and facilitate project implementation at the local level.

The documents needed depend on the applicant type (individual or organization):

Aadhaar Card (for individuals) – mandatory for identification and DBT linkage.
Corporate Identification Number (CIN) / Registration Number (for organizations).
Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card.
Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTN).
Detailed Plant/Project Proposal.
Financial Statements of the applying entity.

The scheme offers a wide range of benefits for individuals, communities, and the nation, as outlined by the DDWS:

Environmental Sanitation: Manages cattle dung and agricultural waste, reducing pollution.
Public Health: Curbing vector-borne diseases through effective waste disposal.
Household Savings: Biogas use reduces expenditure on LPG, increasing income and savings.
Organic Manure: Generates high-quality manure, enhancing farm productivity and reducing chemical fertilizer use.
Employment Generation: Creates income opportunities for SHGs, farmers' groups, and local entrepreneurs.
Environmental Sustainability: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves foreign exchange by cutting natural gas imports.

Eligibility varies by project model, with priority for villages with high cattle populations:

Individual Model: Individual households identified by the Gram Panchayat.
Cluster Model: Clusters of households (minimum 3-4 cattle) identified with Cooperatives, Milk Unions, FPOs, SHGs, etc.
Community Model: Households identified by Gram Panchayats.
Commercial Model: Entrepreneurs, Cooperatives, Gaushalas, Dairies, etc. for setting up large CBG plants. Any government, cooperative or private entity operating or intending to setup a Biogas/CBG/Bio CNG plant in India can obtain a registration number through the unified registration portal.

The application process is facilitated through the GOBARdhan Unified Registration Portal:

Step 1: Visit the official portal at gobardhan.sbm.gov.in and register using Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Step 2: Gram Panchayat, with support from SHGs/FPOs/milk cooperatives, identifies beneficiaries and prepares a project plan document with the help of empanelled agencies or BDTCs.
Step 3: Administrative and technical proposals, including an Operation & Maintenance (O&M) plan, are submitted for approval from competent authorities.
Step 4: Upon approval, registration number is obtained, which is required to avail benefits/support from other Ministries/Departments.

For more details, visit the official scheme page: GOBARdhan Unified Registration Portal.

Key points from frequently asked questions about the scheme:

There is no application fee for the GOBARdhan scheme.
Training for beneficiaries and operators is a key component of the scheme.
Existing biogas plant owners may also be eligible to apply for support under certain conditions.
Funding for large CBG plants can also be sourced from the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II, financial assistance up to ₹50 lakh per district is available for setting up community and cluster biogas plants.
Market Development Assistance (MDA) of ₹1,500 per metric tonne is granted for the sale of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM), or Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) produced at biogas/CBG plants under the GOBARdhan initiative.

GOBARdhan Unified Registration Portal

Implementing Agencies in Kerala

Documents Required

Benefits of the GOBARdhan Scheme

Eligibility Criteria

How to Apply

Important Notes & FAQs