Utilization and Socioeconomic Impact of Biofuel Adoption Among Farming Communities in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 01 | Page : 38 45
    By

    Stephen Monday,

  • Atul Khajuria,

  • Shu-Achet Daniel Gimbason,

  1. Research Fellow, Environmental Science Allied Health Science Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India
  2. Director, Allied Health Science Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India
  3. Researcher, Researcher Community Health. College of Health Science and Technology, (Christian Institute), Jos Nigeria

Abstract

With the increasing consumption of energy and environmental issues, transformation toward renewable energy is being considered as a trend globally. Biofuels such as biogas and biodiesel provide potential alternative to fossil based fuel, particularly, in the rural parts of India, including Punjab. These clean sources, however, are not only contributing to environment but also have a potential to improve the rural economy by saving costs and having better health. Despite this potential, there is scarce empirical evidence on awareness and adoption of biofuel and associated socioeconomic effects at the community level in Punjab. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted to evaluate the acceptance of biofuels by farming communities in the district Fatehgarh Sahib of Punjab from 2024–2025. A verbal (structured) questionnaire was used to interview 783 household samples from among 10 villages, selected through stratified Random Sampling. The questionnaire obtained information on household demographics, biofuel awareness and use, perceived benefits and constraints, and adoption willingness. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with the help of SPSS program v25. Knowledge of biofuels were demonstrated by 58.4% of the respondents; 34.7% reported using biofuels, with the predominant usage being in the former of biogas. The primary advantages mentioned by users were less costs of energy (72.1%), better respiratory health (61.5%) and rural livelihoods improvement (49.8%). Nevertheless, non-users cited cost to get started (48.3%) and lack of expertise (27.6%) as barriers. Of the respondents, 67.8% indicated that they would consider the use of biofuels, if they were supported with financial aid and training. The research highlights the substantial potential of biofuel use in promoting sustainable development in rural Punjab. Despite being down to a middling, it is still not adopted on any significant scale, because of economic and knowledge restrictions. Policy interventions, subsidies and community-based awareness raising campaigns could help overcome these barriers and speed up the uptake of RES in rural areas the world over.

Keywords: Biofuel, biogas, farming communities, punjab, rural energy, socioeconomic impact, sustainable development

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology ]

How to cite this article:
Stephen Monday, Atul Khajuria, Shu-Achet Daniel Gimbason. Utilization and Socioeconomic Impact of Biofuel Adoption Among Farming Communities in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. Research and Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology. 2026; 15(01):38-45.
How to cite this URL:
Stephen Monday, Atul Khajuria, Shu-Achet Daniel Gimbason. Utilization and Socioeconomic Impact of Biofuel Adoption Among Farming Communities in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. Research and Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology. 2026; 15(01):38-45. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjocst/article=2026/view=237038


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 01
Received 16/07/2025
Accepted 26/12/2025
Published 17/02/2026
Publication Time 216 Days
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