Publications

The Lao Biogas Pilot Programme gives Lao farmers the possibility to purchase a biogas digester. So far a number of 787 digesters have been built since the start of the pilot programme in 2007. Domestic biogas digesters, built under the “Lao Biogas Pilot Programme”, are reducing greenhouse gases from four different sources and can be eligible for carbon financing.

This case study first presents the context of the programme after which it describes the opportunities and barriers (institutional, financial and technical) of developing small bio energy programmes like biogas with a carbon component and the roles that various stakeholders could play in the process in Laos. The study finishes with lessons learned and four key factors are identified as main drivers for a successful development of a carbon project:

• the availability of resources;
• a thorough feasibility assessment;
• good planning and timing and;
• stakeholder coordination.

The Vietnamese government has recognised the need for development of alternative energy to substitute its dependency on fossil fuels and has developed a vision and strategy on biofuels. Part of this is to recover so called waste lands (degraded or low-fertile) through the production of Jatropha oil seeds. This has the potential to bring a stable income for tens of thousands of rural farmers, especially in the coastal areas of central and southern Vietnam.

Green Energy Vietnam (GEV) started with the cultivation of Jatropha on infertile lands in Ninh Thuan, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue provinces. GEV approached SNV to support them in the development and set-up of a new company business model through which they can secure feedstock production from smallholder farmers. Leading in this business model will be to adhere to international sustainability guidelines as they are currently being developed by the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels. Essential elements here: access to land for smallholders and social and environmental sustainability.

SNV provides direct advisory to the company, reviewing and commenting their farmer contract systems, improving their farmer extension materials etc. SNV, in collaboration with local capacity builders also provides training services on agricultural extension for company staff and group leaders.

The case study addresses that it's difficult to talk about impact at this stage, but potential impacts for smallholders who can produce Jatropha are mentioned as well as some lessons learned.

Success story of water millers: improved water mill programme (2008).

This publication of success stories of Improved Water Mill (IWM) owners aim to show the impact that IWMs have had on rural households in Nepal. The IWMs are a reliable source of rural energy with multiple end uses and have had extremely positive social, economic and environmental (livelihoods) impacts. This publication presents 16 success stories from various programme districts: four from Nuwakot, three from Dolakha, two from Sindhupalchok, and one each from Ilam, Panchthar, Makawanpur, Surkhet, Baitadi, Kalikot and Pyuthan.

One of the stories tells about someone earning more than one hundred thousand Nepalese rupees annually, solely from grinding grain. But one has to believe that this has been achieved by a 45 year old improved water mill owner from Baitadi district due to his continuous hard work which result this handsome income as a return to him. The villagers from Chaturale, Nuwakot district are extremely happy to visit the IWM in their village for hulling and grinding facilities. The cost for the food processing is less than the charge for alternative electric mill they were paying. Additionally, their time is also saved as they don't have to travel far to process their cereals. Although, the community from Motipur invested a large sum of money in their IWM, they didn't have to take out a loan. Their story is an example of how a community can accumulate strength and improve their lifestyles when they work together for a common cause.

Technical specifications are discussed and contact information details are provided.