Industry overview
What is shaping energy
The energy transition brings rooftop solar, clean cooking, EV charging and efficient appliances to homes and businesses. Adoption depends on cost, trust, financing and after-sales support.
- Rooftop solar adoption depends on financing and installer trust
- Clean cooking programmes need sustained use, not just connections
- Businesses are setting their own transition targets
Client background
A bioenergy company, working in Punjab & Haryana. Client identity is withheld to protect confidentiality.
- Organisation
- A bioenergy company
- Sector
- Energy
- Team engaged
- Market Research
- Services
- Quantitative research, Offline data collection (CAPI), Research consultancy
Client challenge
The company planned compressed biogas plants using crop residue and dung, and needed to know whether farmers would supply feedstock reliably. Crop residue burning was a major environmental problem, and the project could also reduce pollution.
Research objectives
- Deliver on the brief: assessing demand for community biogas plants.
- Understand the views, needs and behaviour of farmers.
- Understand the views, needs and behaviour of cooperatives.
- Measure how widespread each pattern is, and explain the reasons behind it.
- Give the client evidence it can act on within 7 weeks.
Target audience
The work focused on 1,000 farmers and 20 cooperatives.
- farmers1,000
- cooperatives20
Audiences we typically reach in energy
HouseholdsSmall businessesInstallers and channel partnersProgramme beneficiariesEnergy managers
Geographic coverage
Coverage: Punjab & Haryana. Market: India.
- India
Research methodology
A mixed-method design: structured research measured how widespread each pattern was, and qualitative conversations explained why.
- 1Brief
- 2Farmer survey
- 3Dairy cooperative interviews
- 4Insight
We surveyed farmers about residue disposal, dung availability, price expectations and logistics, and interviewed dairy cooperatives. Interviews were conducted in Punjabi and Hindi during the harvest season, when residue decisions were being made. We also mapped village clusters and road access to estimate collection distances and costs.
Quantitative researchOffline data collection (CAPI)Research consultancy
Sampling strategy
- farmers
- 1,000
- cooperatives
- 20
- Respondents were selected across Punjab & Haryana using quotas set in advance for each location and respondent type, so no single area or group dominated.
- Qualitative participants were recruited purposively to cover the full range of experiences that mattered, rather than for statistical representation.
Data collection
- Trained local-language interviewers conducted interviews in person on tablets (CAPI), with time and location recorded for every interview.
- Interviews and discussions were led by experienced moderators using a guide agreed with the client.
Data quality & validation
- Back-checks on a share of completed interviews
- Time and location checks on field interviews
- Supervisor accompaniment in the field
- Recordings and transcripts for every session
- Re-screening of qualitative recruits
- Logic and range checks on the final data
- Work carried out under our ISO 20252 quality procedures
Data analysis
- Cross-tabulation by key groups and locations
- Significance testing on the differences that mattered
- Thematic coding of interviews and discussions
- Journey and decision mapping
Key findings
- Farmers were willing to supply residue if collection was arranged at the farm gate.
- Feedstock supply agreements were signed with several cooperatives before construction began.
Logistics determined supply more than price.
Recommendations
- Build on the core insight: logistics determined supply more than price.
- Focus effort where the evidence was strongest: farmers were willing to supply residue if collection was arranged at the farm gate.
- Re-measure after the changes to confirm the effect.
Business impact
- The company designed a collection network with cooperatives.
- The company used the cluster mapping to choose the plant location.
What changed in the business as a result of the work. Impact is described qualitatively.
Deliverables & next steps
- Insight report and management presentation
- Cleaned data file and data tables
- Repeat the measure after changes are in place to track progress.
- A natural follow-on question: do households keep using clean cooking fuel?
Client identity is withheld to protect confidentiality.