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As fight to eradicate poverty continues, there has been a marked change in the lifestyle of villagers in Sadar Dakkhin upazila in Cumilla, thanks to biogas plants installed there recently, enabling them to use environment-friendly gas.
The Department of Youth Development (DYD) took the initiative of setting up the biogas plant with the slogan 'Installed biogas plant, build advanced and prosperous Bangladesh'.
Sources at the DYD said the biogas plants have been installed under its 'Impact Phase-2' project in the fiscal year 2015-2016 in a number of villages in Sadar Dakkhin upazila.
A total of 300 biogas plants were installed in the upazila over the last three fiscal years and 3-5 families are reportedly being benefited from each of the plants.
During a recent visit to Dhananjoynagar, Radhakrishnagar, Naura, Alampur, Dhanpur and Hajotia villages in the upazila, one correspondent found women cooking using biogas from the biogas plants.
Zakir Hossain of Dhananjoyrnagar village, said he set up a biogas plant with technical assistance from DYD, Cumilla. "I not only use the gas for myself but also sell it to four other families."
Locals said anyone can set up a biogas plant in his or her house having at least three cattle. Besides, the gas can be produced from poultry waste as well and there is no need of any big poultry farm with huge chicken.
Twenty-seven people took a total of Tk 1.59 million as loan from the local office of the DYD for installing biogas plants.
According to the DYD, the authorities concerned provided free technical assistance along with Tk 5,000 for setting up a bio plant. They also arranged loan for them amounting Tk 20,000 to Tk 100,000 with easy instalments option.
DYD Deputy Director Projesh Kumar Saha said when anyone comes to them for technical assistance, they first visit the spot and then provide financial assistance to them for purchasing cattle or chicken.
The entire process of installing a biogas plant is monitored by DYD engineers, he said, reported UNB.
Welcoming the initiative, Sadar Dakkhin upazila Chairman Golam Sarwar said, "My assistance will continue for implementing this government project."
Rupali Mandal, UNO of Sadar Dakkhin upazila, said, "It's a good initiative and people have widely accepted it."
He said a small plant is enough for a small family, and it helps keep the house environment healthy also reducing the use of wood as fuel.