116
S. Dhingra et al.
lages. Each state’s un-electrified villages/economic clusters were mapped in consultation with state-level agencies, such as OREDA, National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency, MPSBM, MP District
Poverty Initiatives Project (MPDPIP), Odisha Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods
Programme, Department of Rural Development, District Industries Centre, etc.
10.4 Selection of Village Clusters
Identification of livelihood clusters in electricity-deficit areas where production is
suffering from irregular supply of electricity or is dependent on diesel-based electricity was undertaken in consultation with local organizations, such as NGOs working
for the creating/development of that cluster. Site visits to the selected clusters were
made for a scoping study and preliminary surveys to learn status of the livelihood
activity, number of villagers involved with the activity, number of households in the
villages around and other demographic data, current business model of the activity
and its finances, institutional setup of the activity such as the role of the NGO or
local organization, community-level groups such as self-help groups (SHGs), etc.
The scoping study to find these clusters targeted livelihood activities, such as production of nutrition mix for women and children in Anganwadis, cashew processing,
milk chilling and packaging, jute processing, tussar silk reeling, lemongrass oil distillation, poultry feed making, bamboo furniture making, etc. The complete list of
livelihood clusters for which scoping study was done is given in Annexure 1. These
production units are mostly run by women of several SHGs in the rural areas. There
is irregular electricity supply in these remote areas, and the quantity and quality of
the product suffer due to it. The two-stage biomass gasifier will provide regular and
clean supply of electricity at a low cost, which will increase the production and their
income, and this increase will improve the standard of living of the women and their
families and also give them an opportunity to explore more activities and build training centres. Four such livelihood clusters given in Table 10.2 have been selected, and
an extensive feasibility study has been done for implementation.
The detailed project reports of potential feasible projects were prepared to assess
electricity and thermal energy requirements for machinery/process used, current status of electrification, alternate options, and challenges faced due to shortage in the
livelihood cluster and payments, biomass availability and surplus details, status of
electrification in the households, such as proximity of the surrounding villages and
number of households for electrification, land ownership and availability for the
installation of the gasifier, willingness to pay, investment, and financial calculations.
An improved institutional framework has been worked out for technical and social
implementation of project, as shown in Fig. 10.2.
S. Dhingra et al.
lages. Each state’s un-electrified villages/economic clusters were mapped in consultation with state-level agencies, such as OREDA, National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency, MPSBM, MP District
Poverty Initiatives Project (MPDPIP), Odisha Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods
Programme, Department of Rural Development, District Industries Centre, etc.
10.4 Selection of Village Clusters
Identification of livelihood clusters in electricity-deficit areas where production is
suffering from irregular supply of electricity or is dependent on diesel-based electricity was undertaken in consultation with local organizations, such as NGOs working
for the creating/development of that cluster. Site visits to the selected clusters were
made for a scoping study and preliminary surveys to learn status of the livelihood
activity, number of villagers involved with the activity, number of households in the
villages around and other demographic data, current business model of the activity
and its finances, institutional setup of the activity such as the role of the NGO or
local organization, community-level groups such as self-help groups (SHGs), etc.
The scoping study to find these clusters targeted livelihood activities, such as production of nutrition mix for women and children in Anganwadis, cashew processing,
milk chilling and packaging, jute processing, tussar silk reeling, lemongrass oil distillation, poultry feed making, bamboo furniture making, etc. The complete list of
livelihood clusters for which scoping study was done is given in Annexure 1. These
production units are mostly run by women of several SHGs in the rural areas. There
is irregular electricity supply in these remote areas, and the quantity and quality of
the product suffer due to it. The two-stage biomass gasifier will provide regular and
clean supply of electricity at a low cost, which will increase the production and their
income, and this increase will improve the standard of living of the women and their
families and also give them an opportunity to explore more activities and build training centres. Four such livelihood clusters given in Table 10.2 have been selected, and
an extensive feasibility study has been done for implementation.
The detailed project reports of potential feasible projects were prepared to assess
electricity and thermal energy requirements for machinery/process used, current status of electrification, alternate options, and challenges faced due to shortage in the
livelihood cluster and payments, biomass availability and surplus details, status of
electrification in the households, such as proximity of the surrounding villages and
number of households for electrification, land ownership and availability for the
installation of the gasifier, willingness to pay, investment, and financial calculations.
An improved institutional framework has been worked out for technical and social
implementation of project, as shown in Fig. 10.2.