Publications

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This report presents the results of the Biogas User Survey conducted in 2004 and 2005 in Nepal. Under the framework of SNV/BSP-N and AEPC several studies have been conducted by different reputed institutions to assess the impact of biogas on users. In keeping with previous year's survey (EastConsult, 2002/2003 and 2003/2004), the present study is initiated by AEPC in view of monitoring the effects/impacts of biogas program on the users and acquire hard and comparable data (between users and non-users) on specific topics that provide an input for an improved IEIA reporting.

The Survey Team was mobilized in 15 districts comprising of the Hill and Terai, covering five development regions of the country. As stipulated in TOR, 337 households (229 with Biogas and 108 without Biogas) were sampled for this study covering low penetration - high penetration districts of Hill and Terai with due consideration of socio-cultural settings.

The principal objective of the Biogas Users' Survey 2004/2005 is to evaluate impacts of biogas installed under Biogas Support Programme with a focus on energy, health & sanitation and agricultural system, socio-economic conditions, environmental and gender concern. The report also elaborates on the construction, operation and maintenance of the biodigester, the institutional aspects of biogas, as well as the company’s viewpoint about biogas users. In addition to local impacts the survey does also provide information to evaluate the World environmental impacts of biogas plants, particularly those relating to World climate change.

The Biogas Users’ Survey 2007/08 is intended to provide an overview on the Biogas Support Programme's implementation and measure its success in terms of both qualitative and quantitative achievements.

The general objective of Biogas Users’ Survey 2007/08 is to make a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of the installed biogas plants on energy, health & sanitation, agricultural systems, socio-economic condition, environment and gender. Besides, the local impact of biogas, this survey is also expected to provide information to evaluate the global environmental impacts of biogas plants in the context of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Furthermore, aspects of the construction, operation and maintenance of biodigesters are assessed.

The biogas plant, as per the present finding, shows a strong positive impact on socio-economic status of the user households. Biogas plants have helped in saving time on various activities like collecting fuel wood, preparing dung cake, taking care of livestock, cooking and cleaning utensils. People with adequate cash in hand or those who have collateral to take loan have been observed installing biogas plant thereby making it inaccessible to the poor and marginal people. Further conclusions and recommendations are provided.

The Biogas Users’ Survey 2009/10 is conducted in order to find out the operational status of the biogas plants registered under CDM Project Activity I and provides a qualitative as well as quantitative documentation on status of demography, socio-economic state, health and hygiene and environmental conditions of the biogas user households.

The objective of the Biogas Users’ Survey 2009/10 is to make a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of the CDM Registered Project biogas plants on energy, health and sanitation, agricultural production, socio-economic condition, and environment. Besides, the local impact of biogas, the survey is also expected to provide information to evaluate the global environmental impacts of biogas plants in the context of CDM.

135 samples of the total registered biogas plants registered under Biogas CDM Project Activity 1 were taken for the annual survey. From the findings, it can be concluded that the shortage of firewood seems to be the main reason for installing biogas. Users of biogas plants are satisfied with the plant operation. The reasons for the satisfaction are smokeless kitchen, efficiency in cooking and washing utensils, saving fuel wood and tasty food. Appliances failure in the kitchen seems to be major technical problem faced by the users and needs to be paid attention to.

The Biogas Users’ Survey 2009/10 is conducted in order to find out the operational status of the biogas plants registered under CDM Project Activity II and provides a qualitative as well as quantitative documentation on status of demography, socio-economic state, health and hygiene and environmental conditions of the biogas user households.

The objective of the Biogas Users’ Survey 2009/10 is to make a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of the CDM Registered Project biogas plants on energy, health and sanitation, agricultural production, socio-economic condition, and environment. Besides, the local impact of biogas, the survey is also expected to provide information to evaluate the global environmental impacts of biogas plants in the context of CDM.

135 samples of the total registered biogas plants registered under Biogas CDM Project Activity 2 were taken for the annual survey. From the findings, it can be concluded that the shortage of firewood seems to be the main reason for installing biogas. Users of biogas plants are satisfied with the plant operation. The reasons for the satisfaction are smokeless kitchen, efficiency in cooking and washing utensils, saving fuel wood and tasty food. Appliances failure in the kitchen seems to be major technical problem faced by the users and needs to be paid attention to.

The objective was to determine to what extent the Biogas Slurry Extension Pilot Programme had achieved its objectives, what the difficulties were, to assess the performance of the Slurry Extension Officers (SEOs) and to develop some guidelines for future implementation of the programme including the best host to implement it. The technology is extended to 811 farmers in 23 districts. All farmers started storing the slurry in the compost pits. They use 3.6 kg of dry materials per day to absorb the moisture of the slurry as well as for composting.

All had the feeling that the slurry should be better than FYM and when composted it, it yields higher than the dried slurry and ordinary compost. The farmers have understood the negative effect of drying it on the filed. So, they incorporate it into the soil as soon as it is transported. The farmers and the managers of concerned offices also evaluated the job performance of the SEOs satisfactory. There has been some limitation on the logistic and administrative support to the SEOs; they were deprived of the minimum office facilities and faced administrative difficulties. The managers did not understand the importance of the programme and did not accept the accountability towards the programme.

Based on the suggestion made by the managers and the SEOs, it is recommended that this programme should be of permanent nature. NGO is also considered one of the suitable potential hosts of this programme. A model involving NGO to implement this programme on pilot scale is also presented.

The objective of this evaluation is to assess the suitability and effectiveness of training programme conducted for biogas users groups by different companies in the fiscal year 1995/1996.

All training programmes in general were found to be useful and effective in increasing the confidence level of participants. As a result of training, they could solve some of their problems by themselves, which they could not do so before and the percentage of female participants (75%)
was also very encouraging. Some of the shortcomings observed were:

• Monotony due to continuous long lectures by the same instructor;
• Inconsistent statements made by trainers;
• Conditions of class rooms;
• Non-availability of the teaching materials and equipment required for demonstration;
• Demonstration not carried out.

In the process of collecting information for evaluating the training programmes through observation, the study team members also offered their expert opinion and suggestions for coordinators and trainers to improve the training being conducted.

The study recommends that the participants should be informed in detail in the invitation letter. The trainers as well as co-ordinators should be provided appropriate training to improve their know-how on planning and designing of training programs, handling training sessions, development and use of training aids, selection and use of various training methods. All training aids and materials for demonstration should be made available in sufficient quantity at demonstration sites. All trainers should prepare standard Lesson Plans for their topic(s). In all training sessions, a summary should be presented at the end.

This case study describes the Biogas Support Programme (BSP) in Nepal. BSP applies a market-based approach with a pro-poor focus to disseminating biogas plants in Nepal. The programme encourages private sector participation through a variety of supportive measures, and ensures private sector accountability for constructing high-quality biogas plants and providing technical back-up services. Important to programme sustainability are the wide-ranging capacity development measures it undertakes before turning activities over to private sector and government agencies.

The programme has instituted a number of innovative measures to make the technology affordable for the poor. These include providing an additional subsidy for communities that are poor, disadvantaged or based in remote locations, and encouraging microfinance institutions to extend convenient loans to the poor. BSP has played a key role in establishing the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), the national apex body for promotion of renewable energy solutions in Nepal. As of December 2010, 225,356 biogas plants have been constructed throughout all 75 districts in the country. Currently, nearly 20,000 plants are being constructed every year.

The case study provides information on the energy access in Nepal; programme overview; implementation strategy, programme impacts, programme sustainability, and lessons learnt.

Objectives of the Mid term evaluation of SEP-II were directed towards:
• Assessing to what extent the programme objectives were met;
• Assessing the overall effectiveness of the programme;
• Assessing the role played by the main stakeholders in execution of the programme;
• Recommending future policy for adopting appropriate strategy in Slurry Extension Programme.

The main findings showed that there has been an improvement in the reduction of grazing month and increment in the stall-feeding. Similarly, there is an improvement in the fodder grass and fodder tree plantation among the farmers participating in SEP-II as compared to the nonparticipating
ones. Every sampled biogas household has constructed a compost pit and the percentage of the farmers adopting protection measure for the compost pit against water logging
has been found to be 12% more in case of the SEP-II participating farmers than among nonparticipants. The percentage of the respondents collecting urine increased 100% as a result of participation in SEP-II. 78% of the participating farmers have perceived an increased yield of crops due to application of slurry compost compared to 65% respondents belonging to non-participating group.

It is recommended that a Regional Slurry Co-ordination Committee (RSCC) should be formed in each of the Development Regions of the country. DOA, NARC and other competent organisations should be involved in conducting the research. ADOs, JT/JTAs and staffs of DOA should be involved as resource persons in the implementation of the activities of SEP-II.

The aims of the evaluation were:
• To assess the progress towards the programme's objectives;
• To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the strategies applied to reach the programme's objectives;
• To indicate how the current BSP programme can be progressively integrated into Nepalese organisational set-up.

The study recommends that future market penetration will mean increasingly targeting the less well off and credit facilities need also to be provided through community loan schemes or group collateral mechanism. In an attempt of BSP to integrate their programme with the MOA, livestock development programmes must be continued. At the same time, more collaboration with other programmes like PPP and REDP will lead to increase in the market size. The actual quality control system works well but is expensive. The Mission recommends the introduction of the so-called “Biogas Servicing Companies”.

According to the agreements between HMG/N and donors, the subsidy will have to be reduced across the board by NRs. 1,000 by July 16, 1999. The BSP office should look into the possibility to establish branch/regional offices. This will reduce some of the transport time and cost. Another recommendation is the need for continuous learning for the senior staff with managerial responsibilities.

The Mission recommends considering the establishment of a small autonomous organisation (BSO – Biogas Support Organisation). The role of AEPC no matter which institutional option is eventually selected, will be: overall policy formulation; monitoring and evaluation; interface with HMG/N for policy changes; and linkages with donors and INGOs.