Sustainable Development
Sustainable Energy for India’s Rural Development
Anil K Rajvanshi Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Phaltan, Maharashtra, INDIA www.nariphaltan.org
China 2007
1
Structure of talk
Present problems in rural India Decentralized high technology solutions
Energy production from agriculture Energy devices for cooking and lighting
Financial and other instruments Other issues
China 2007
2
Present problems in rural India
60% of rural population (~ 400 million) in India live in primitive conditions. This sorry state exists even after 60 years of independence. No electricity and primitive cookstoves. Around 300,000 deaths/yr take place because of pollution. 54% of India’s population is below 25 years and most of them live in rural areas with very little employment opportunities. 1/4th of our population or 260 million live on < $ 1/day.
China 2007 3
Problems contd…
Because of rural poverty large scale migration to cities takes place leading to serious urban problems. Increased aspirations because of mass media are leading to social unrest. Riots in various cities. Release of bottled-up emotions. Spark could be from any source. Energy is the basis of life. Lack of it produces economic stagnation and social upheavals.
China 2007 4
Problems contd..
Serious energy crisis in India. Per capita electricity in India 553 kWh/yr or 4% that in US and lowest in the world. In rural households 57 kWh/yr per capita electricity consumption. Linkage of HDI to electricity consumption. Last year India imported $ 45 b worth of petroleum products. Serious balance of payment problems. 8-9% p.a. growth in petroleum consumption. India and China’s Oil consumption at present rate will create world wide crisis. WW III ? Need for alternatives.
China 2007 5
Governance
All the above problems in India are result of nongovernance. Centralized production and control inherently leads to corruption. Decentralization leads to accountability. Governance is
Anil K Rajvanshi Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Phaltan, Maharashtra, INDIA www.nariphaltan.org
China 2007
1
Structure of talk
Present problems in rural India Decentralized high technology solutions
Energy production from agriculture Energy devices for cooking and lighting
Financial and other instruments Other issues
China 2007
2
Present problems in rural India
60% of rural population (~ 400 million) in India live in primitive conditions. This sorry state exists even after 60 years of independence. No electricity and primitive cookstoves. Around 300,000 deaths/yr take place because of pollution. 54% of India’s population is below 25 years and most of them live in rural areas with very little employment opportunities. 1/4th of our population or 260 million live on < $ 1/day.
China 2007 3
Problems contd…
Because of rural poverty large scale migration to cities takes place leading to serious urban problems. Increased aspirations because of mass media are leading to social unrest. Riots in various cities. Release of bottled-up emotions. Spark could be from any source. Energy is the basis of life. Lack of it produces economic stagnation and social upheavals.
China 2007 4
Problems contd..
Serious energy crisis in India. Per capita electricity in India 553 kWh/yr or 4% that in US and lowest in the world. In rural households 57 kWh/yr per capita electricity consumption. Linkage of HDI to electricity consumption. Last year India imported $ 45 b worth of petroleum products. Serious balance of payment problems. 8-9% p.a. growth in petroleum consumption. India and China’s Oil consumption at present rate will create world wide crisis. WW III ? Need for alternatives.
China 2007 5
Governance
All the above problems in India are result of nongovernance. Centralized production and control inherently leads to corruption. Decentralization leads to accountability. Governance is