Biogas fuels quiet revolution in rural Tajikistan, transforming daily life for women

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — In the villages of Tajikistan, a quiet energy revolution is reshaping rural life. More families are moving away from firewood and animal dung, embracing biogas as a cleaner, cheaper alternative—with transformative effects on women’s health, labor, and livelihoods.

According to a report by Asia Plus, the shift was highlighted at a national seminar in Dushanbe on July 31, where experts emphasized the far-reaching impact of biogas systems not only on energy access but also on public health, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.

Biogas is produced by fermenting organic waste—mostly cow dung—in a sealed digester, which releases methane that can be used for cooking and heating. While the technology is simple, the results are powerful: lower indoor air pollution, healthier households, and significant savings in time and money.

The most immediate beneficiaries are women, who traditionally spend hours each day gathering fuel. “Biogas technology is reshaping daily life in villages—especially for women,” said UNDP consultants. With fuel collection no longer necessary, women can redirect their time to education, childcare, or income-generating work.

The initiative is part of a UNDP-supported project titled “Empowering Rural Women through Access to Renewable Energy via Biogas Reactors,” launched in July 2024. It targets rural households across several districts, including Varzob, Hisor, Roudaki, and ten districts in Khatlon Province.

So far, 37 biogas units have been installed, providing tangible financial benefits. Experts estimate that each household saves over 2,600 Tajikistani somonis ($275) in fuel costs and nearly 4,000 somonis ($425) in labor annually. Medical savings due to cleaner air and income from organic fertilizer and greenhouse farming push the total annual benefit to nearly 22,000 somonis ($2,333). 

After accounting for maintenance, the net gain stands at more than 20,500 somonis ($2,175)—a major boost in communities where every somoni counts.

Beyond economic relief, biogas use also improves soil quality by generating natural fertilizer, reducing dependence on costly and harmful chemical alternatives.

While biogas systems are not yet commercially available in Tajikistan, the NGO Neksigol Mushovir—partnering with UNDP—is working to expand access by installing units in selected homes. 

The equipment, currently imported from India, may soon become more widely available as bilateral cooperation grows. India’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Rajesh Uike, and Deputy Agriculture Minister Nigina Anvari confirmed discussions around scaling up collaboration in this sector.

For many in rural Tajikistan, biogas represents more than just a source of energy—it’s a step toward dignity, resilience, and autonomy. The technology is helping communities breathe easier, both literally and economically, while forging a more sustainable and equitable future.