Publications

The study aims to investigate women’s access to and involvement in biogas and its impact on their lives, and will identify existing constraints which inhibit fuller exploitation of the potentials of RET from gender perspective.

It was found that 17 out of 24 sample has have attached latrine with biogas plant and a significant proportion of joint decision of both men and women has been reported in latrine attachment.

Male played the leading role in management of all phases and the women’s role was more supportive. The program should endeavour maximum participation of women at all stages of management. Unlike at the stage of decision-making, it is interesting that many women are responsible for the operation of biogas. Women have definitely benefited more compared to men. In total women were found to save 66 minutes per day. They have saved significant time in collecting fuel wood, cooking food and washing cooking vessels. Like men counterparts they require more time mixing slurry.

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) revealed that women users perceived easy cooking, smokeless environment and reduced daily workload main benefits. Saving of firewood collection time, avoid noise of kerosene stove, positive impact in health of family members and clean and healthy household environment were other frequently quoted benefits. Biogas users women perceived biogas technology still expensive for general people, as of limited use because it is only used for cooking, and lacks adequate training for maintenance and repair as the main demerits or constraints of biogas installation.

The study aimed to investigate and assess women’s access to and involvement in the biogas and its impact on their lives. The study aimed to identify existing constraints which inhibit fuller exploitation of the potentials of RET from gender perspective. A total 27 biogas users were interviewed from Sanischare, Arjundhara, Charpane, Chandragadhi, Gauradaha and Maharani VDCs.

Although women have significant role in installation of the biogas plant and in taking care of it, men have the leading role and women work as their supporter in the decision making process of biogas installation in general. In order to identify needs of women and deliver them the benefits of the technology, the programme should endeavour maximum participation of women at all stages of management.

Women have definitely benefited more as compared to men. In total women were found to save 49 minutes of time. Women have saved significant time in cooking food, washing cooking vessels and collecting fuel wood in the order of importance. Like men counterparts they require more time mixing slurry. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) revealed that women users perceived easy cooking, smokeless environment and reduced daily workload as the main benefits. Saving of firewood, saving of kerosene, positive impact in health of family members and clean and healthy household environment were other frequently quoted benefits of biogas.

The study recommends that the subsidy amount should not be reduced. Secondly, the users require more focused training in repair and maintenance and thirdly, an awareness raising program among people should be started.

After the successful training for the trainers of Junior Biogas Technicians (JBT), with the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pokhara, the Centre of Energy Studies (CES) of the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Tribhuwan University felt the need to conduct the advanced biogas training exclusively for the engineers of IOE on similar line. In this backdrop, a Contract Agreement was officially signed between SNV/BSP and CES/IOE in September 2001 to conduct a series of training courses (between September 2000 and January 2001) at CES/IOE.

Originally, the first-hand materials for this training course were derived from FAO/CMS publications named “Biogas Technology: A Training Manual for Extension, 1966” and ʺTraining Manual in Biogas Technology for the Trainers of Junior Biogas Techniciansʺ published by SNV/BSP (17-20 May 2000) and recent development in this field. Soon after the first training, the handouts were revised and modified by the team of experts/trainers to improve its content. This was repeated after the second and third training to produce the final document in the form of Advanced Course in Biogas Technology in its present shape.

The trainees for this course consisted of professionals working at the Institute of Engineering of the Tribhuwan University with an engineering background. In agreement with SNV/BSP and CES/IOE, Dr. Amrit B. Karki was appointed as Programme Coordinator and in total, 13 experienced professionals have contributed as instructors in carrying out the training course.

The objective is evaluating the proposed subsidy scheme for biogas plants and to recommend a scheme to be applied for 1999/2000 and onwards.

Two options – reduce the subsidy amount by NRs. 1,000 per plant across the board, and propose new subsidy rates according to geographical division and the size of the plants – have been evaluated to measure the efficiency of plants with these options. The internal rate of return (IRR) was used as method. This study shows a high IRR in Nepal, both financial and economic, even with a decline on the on-going subsidy rates by a flat amount of NRs. 1,000 per plant. The IRR of a plant is very high when we include the increased NPK in the slurry. The rates of return with the proposed subsidy rates and the inclusion of increased nutrients available in biogas slurry are always higher than 16 percent. Currently the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB/N), Nepal Bank Limited (NBL) and Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) – are involved in providing loans to the biogas sector.

There seem problems with the current subsidy channelling procedure, because a farmer (plant owner) can take double subsidy with the same biogas plant. The BSP Phase III Implementation Document states that the subsidy has to be reduced by NRs. 1,000 to be applied for the F/Y 1999/2000 and onwards. This study does not detect any problems with that proposal. Besides, this study has also considered another option of new subsidy rates according to geographical division
and size of plants.

This study was conceived as an integrated environment impact assessment (IEIA) of BSP phase III (BSP III). The objective was to quantify the impacts of BSP III as a result of the installation and use of biogas for cooking and for lighting to a certain extent. Altogether 1,200 respondents comprising of 600 biogas households (HHs) and 600 non-biogas HHs were investigated.

The impact on energy use was evident. The consumption of kerosene has been reduced, since the traditional and the kerosene stoves were substituted to a great extent by biogas stoves.

The impact on the health situation was found overall positive. 85% biogas HHs perceived a remarkable decrease in smoke. None of biogas HHs reported an increase in the burned cases for the last three years. However, 70% of biogas HHs reported an increase in mosquito breeding as a result of biogas installation.

The Impact on Agriculture and Sustainable Land Use was positive since the use of chemical fertilizer was reduced, an increase in yield was obtained, and the collection of large branches and wood declined.

The impact of climate change is positive, since the carbon emission saved from the reduction of the use of fuel wood, agricultural residues as fuel, dung as fuel, kerosene.

The impact on socio-economic conditions was positive as well, as it appeared that biogas HHs were comparatively well off than non-biogas HHs so far as the possession of improved type of houses, tv, and cattle, buffalo and goats/sheep are concerned.

This study aims at analysing slurry-compost samples of toilet attached biogas plants on the presence of parasites and bacteria, which could pose a health risk while handling the compost.

Out of the 22 new locations from Chitwan and Kavre districts, 6 slurry samples (27%) and four compost samples (18%) were detected for the presence of some kind of parasites. As the parasites present in the compost were different from those in slurry, it might be due to the water logging of the compost pit during rainy season. According to the result of the test, the parasites detected in some fresh slurry were: Larvae of Strongyloides, cyst of Entamoeba histolytica, ova of Ascaris lumbricoides, ova of Trichuris trichura, motile protozoal parasites, Trophozoides of Giardia lamblia. Similarly, parasites detected in compost sample were: Larvae of Strongyloides and ova of Ascaris lumbricoides.

None of the pathogenic organisms were isolated from all samples of slurry and compost in bacteriological tests performed. No direct relationship was obtained with biogas plant size and number of persons using toilet in contaminating the slurry. It was also observed that the parasites containing in the feeding slurry were not well destroyed during retention period in digested chamber in some cases. However, it might have destroyed or reduced some parasites/pathogens after digestion. A study of parasites/pathogens present on faeces at the time of feeding and in fresh slurry after digestion could provide some information for better understanding of the process.

This report assesses the advance subsidy payment in Nepal, its progress, implications and future improvements required. The study, based on analysis of field visits, showed that the advance subsidy payment initiated by Biogas Support Programme Nepal (BSP-Nepal) has indeed greatly supported companies in their working capital management.

An in-depth analysis indicated that companies receiving advance subsidy payments had the lowest amount of additional working capital requirements, compared to those that have not received the subsidy. This advance subsidy was seen as an incentive for serious companies who maintain a financial discipline. Overall, the working capital support of BSP has shown to positively impact biogas companies, which is why it was strongly recommended that the advance subsidy continued. Further, the little credit provided by the Nepal Biogas Promotion Group (NBPG) also had positive implications, and it was recommended for credit to be initiated with wider scope of support. Other recommendations to sustain the advance subsidy payment touched upon the categorizing of biogas companies to operate only in designated areas, etc. BSP-Nepal needed to also improve the subsidy claim processing as the faster the subsidy was released, the better it was for the working capital of companies.

Working capital shortage due to management deficiency of the companies themselves appeared to be a challenging issue that can be alleviated by designing proper costing and financial management capacity. Further recommendations and extensive analysis of plants costs, working capital support, workshop impact analyses and cash converting cycles (CCC) can be found in the report.

The Indonesia Domestic Biogas Programme, popularly called BIRU (Biogas Rumah), is a national programme, implemented by the Dutch NGO Hivos with technical assistance from SNV and in close cooperation with DGEEU. The programme, funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy started on 15 May 2009 and will run under the current contribution agreement until 31 December 2012. Its overall objective is to disseminate domestic bio-digesters as a local, sustainable energy source through the development of a commercial, market oriented sector in selected Indonesian provinces. This report presents the annual report of 2009 of the programme. The report contains: specific objectives and output indicators, the institutional setting, an overview of all 2009 activities, an overview of the scheduled activities for 2010, resource allocation, reporting obligations, monitoring and evaluation, budget requirements and challenges and lessons learned.

The Indonesia Domestic Biogas Programme, popularly called BIRU (Biogas Rumah), is a national programme, implemented by the Dutch NGO Hivos with technical assistance from SNV and in close cooperation with DGEEU.

The programme, funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy started on 15 May 2009 and will run under the current contribution agreement until 31 December 2012. Its overall objective is to disseminate domestic bio-digesters as a local, sustainable energy source through the development of a commercial, market oriented sector in selected Indonesian provinces.

This annual report presents the status of the programme in 2010. The report contains: specific objectives and output indicators, the institutional setting, an overview of all 2010 activities, an overview of the scheduled activities for 2011, resource allocation, reporting obligations, monitoring and evaluation, budget requirements and challenges and lessons learned.

The Indonesia Domestic Biogas Programme, popularly called BIRU (Biogas Rumah), is a national programme, implemented by the Dutch NGO Hivos with technical assistance from SNV and in close cooperation with DGEEU.

The programme, funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy started on 15 May 2009 and will run under the current contribution agreement until 31 December 2012. Its overall objective is to disseminate domestic bio-digesters as a local, sustainable energy source through the development of a commercial, market oriented sector in selected Indonesian provinces.

This annual report presents the status of the programme in 2011. The report contains: specific objectives and output indicators, the institutional setting, an overview of all 2011 activities, an overview of the scheduled activities for 2012, resource allocation, reporting obligations, monitoring and evaluation, budget requirements and challenges and lessons learned.

This study reports the progress of the Biogas Programme (BP) in developing a market-oriented biogas sector in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos PDR, and Vietnam.

The general findings of the study showed that original targets have not been met, whereas reasons for the delay differed in each country (e.g. in Cambodia and Laos PDR programme’s start was cumbersome as the programme was completely new and unknown to farmers; in Bangladesh natural disasters played a role; in Vietnam financial uncertainty hindered the progress).

The report also presents interesting comparisons between the countries involved on an institutional and subsidy level (government versus private ownership as reasons for the success/delay of the programme; level of subsidy received in the four countries). As for construction costs, it appeared the Vietnam had the lowest costs and Cambodia the highest, where detailed assessment and explanation for these differences can be found in the report. Interestingly, although all countries appeared to be learning from each other experiences with the BP on some level, it was also evident that precious resources have been wasted developing the already available information (e.g. Cambodia has developed a useful database for monitoring the achievements of the BP and although it could be adapted and used by different countries, this has not been the case).

The study presents the achievements of all four countries in a detailed manner and on different levels (training, awareness and promotion, subsidy and loans, etc.), and provides meticulous recommendations to each country in order to advance the BP.

This report assesses the effectiveness of an increase in the present general subsidy (NRP1000) and additional subsidy (NRP 1500,2500,3500) as a way to benefit poorer households.

The government of Nepal increased the subsidy without consulting with donors which caused major dissatisfaction as donors were actually aiming for a decrease in order to achieve a sustainable market driven biogas system.

The household survey conducted indicated important findings in the areas of the rationale of the increase of general subsidy (e.g. sharp increase in plant construction costs called for immediate compensation), as well as its impact (e.g. withdrawal of general subsidy was said to definitely limit
the expansion of biogas programme in poor areas), regarding the rationale and effectiveness of the additional subsidy for the poor (e.g. the subsidy has had a tremendous positive impact on increasing the access of poor households to biogas within only one year, while enjoying all its benefits), the scaling up of biogas programme among the poor (e.g. the research found out that donors’ role is vital in the whole process and that their support for the increased subsidies should be gained at every cost), and regarding rate and delivery mechanism of subsidy and credit (e.g. it was found that the current rate of general and additional subsidies is fair and adequate as poor people have been able to own a plant with access to credit). Recommendations as to what future steps need to be taken on basis of these important findings are available in the report.

This report presents a comprehensive assessment of the conditions for helping households finance the construction of a biodigester. A micro-credit programme for biodigester users was jointly designed by the National Biodigester Programme (NBP), Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs).

By using in-depth interviews, a household survey and a desk study, it was determined that the demand for biodigester market was significant, with 96.5% of the studied households possessing the capacity to operate a biodigester. The research for demand for micro-credit showed that households were indeed in need of a financial aid (84%) but the majority was unwilling to borrow credit due to fear of inability to repay it. The ones willing to borrow demanded a credit size of 400,000-1,200,000riels. The MFIs contacted (ACLEDA, Amret, CEB, Prasac, HURREDO) were interested in lending a micro-credit to biodigester users but were also concerned for the credit at it was for consumption and not production. It appeared that credit conditions desired by potential biodigester users were overall in line with MFIs offered conditions, but an interest rate gap was also in place.

Some of the extensive suggestions on how to alleviate the problem offered in the report place FMO in the centre of operations as a possible guarantor of default loans, among other duties. The challenges likely to arise because of a roll-out strategy (linking potential biodigester users with micro-credit), as well plausible solutions are presented as well.

This report presents the findings of a mission conducted to assess the possible institutional set-up for the proposed biogas project in Lao PDR by relying on field visits, interviews, and a workshop.

The mission has concluded that the available institutional context of Lao PDR has sufficient potential to execute all needed functions of the proposed biogas project, except for the provision of credits. Further, suitable actors for the required functions in the biogas project have been identified. Eligible farmers would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of plants. Various actors from the government and civil society sector would be accountable for promoting biogas plants. Private companies and NGOs would both account for the construction and after-sales service. Credit provision was to be executed by multiple actors which were not determined yet.

The most often mentioned actors for training were Science Technology and Environment Agency-STEA/Technology Research Institute-TRI, National University of Laos-NUoL and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-MAF, and STEA/TRI and National Agriculture & Forestry Research Institute-NAFRI for Research and Development. The Biogas Project Coordination Office was suggested for quality control, while MAF agents and farmer groups were to account for the extension on bio-slurry use. Private consultants and independent NGOs were to be responsible for monitoring and evaluation. As for the coordination and implementation level, office establishment between SNV and MAF was seen as the best option. A Biogas Project Steering Committee was determined as most suitable for coordinating policy level.

His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMG/N) established Alternate Energy Promotion Centre (APEC) on November 3, 1997 under the umbrella of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The major activities of the consultations are enlisted below:

• Organisation of workshop meetings;
• Discussion about the government policies and guidelines;
• Assessment of capabilities of the manufacturers;
• Preparation of the plan, program, policy and budget for next fiscal year as well as 9th Five Year Plan;
• Documentation;
• Development of policy in biogas, small and micro-hydro and solar energy;
• Comments on the program and budget of BSP/SNV-N;
• Development of the Terms of References for Local Park Project;
• Meeting with Royal Danish Embassy for grant proposal;
• Meeting with KfW delegates;
• Meeting with various other agencies;
• Assisting in programme and budget discussion;
• Comments on Institutional Strengthening in Rural Energy Planning and Implementation and draft final report prepared for WECS.

The major outputs of the consultation are extensively descried in the report. It is recommended that:

• AEPC should have its own regular staff. There should be provision to train the manpower;
• Need assessment of AEPC should be made;
• AEPC needs technical assistance in area of alternate energy;
• Additional financial institutes should be approached for loan and subsidy flow to the beneficiaries.

AEPC should support biogas companies to carry out promotional activity in the less developed districts possessing large number of cattle (e.g. Dhanusa, Saptari, Siraha etc.).

The Bhutan Biogas Project (BBP), a joint programme of Asian Development Bank, Department of Renewable Energy, Department of Livestock, SNV and Bhutan Development Bank is being implemented in four districts since March 2011.

This annual report gives an overview of activities conducted and results achieved in the period between March 2011 and February 2012 as well as a financial statement till the end of December 2011 per activity. Furthermore the report also contains information on the sector situation, BBP structure and implementation modality. This report also incorporates lessons learnt mainly from field, opportunities and challenges to implement biogas project in Bhutan.

Concluding, BBP has been successful in carrying out preliminary activities aimed at identification of critical mass, preparation of promotional tools, awareness raising at the community and households level, capacity building of stakeholders, technical training to masons and supervisors, and commencement of construction of biogas plants. The number of plants installed is bit short of the set target because of various reasons. BBP is fully satisfied with the progress and feels that a strong foundation has been built to disseminate biogas technology in the future. All the installed plants are functioning satisfactorily, and the users are happy with the performance of their biogas plants. These functional plants have been spreading positive message to potential farmers to install biogas plants. BBP is confident that the positive words of mouth from the satisfied users would be instrumental in speedy promotion and extension of biogas technology in the country.

The report focuses on the efforts of the Biogas Pilot Programme (BPP) and SNV in developing expertise on bio-slurry management and utilisation. They aim to capacitate the extension workers for the promotion and transfer of knowledge to the biogas famers in order to increase their yield and soil fertility for sustainability land use. The objectives were two-fold: 

• To increase the yield of the farmer by enhancing and promoting on bio-slurry management and utilisation for the famers who have a plant;
• To raise manure awareness and reduce chemical fertiliser on agriculture producing for the farmers.

The report concludes that, even though the training on bio-slurry is not a new topic for the BPP, the process and mythology on this training was new, also the content. The trainer and advisor tried to find out local appropriate methods and content useful for participants. This can be used in the real situation for Lao PDR to increase the yield and income for the farmer. In this training, the participants learnt a lot about bio-slurry management and utilization and they had practiced this in the field.

All the tools and the methods that were used in the training were useful and can help the extension workers on provincial level to train their staff.  Bio-slurry use can also help to increase GDP, especially because bio-slurry will save our nature and land use will become more sustainable. The Terms of Reference for Local Capacity Builder to support on conducting bio-slurry mission is included.

This report evaluates the management of bio-slurry, as well as its effect on soil fertility and crop production in Bangladesh by studying bio-slurry and slurry compost. The main institutions involved in the project were the Soil Science Division (SSD) and On Farm Research Division (OFRD) of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI).

Study findings indicated that the nutrient content of both cow dung (CD) slurry and poultry manure (PM) slurry were higher than the aerobically decomposed cow dung and poultry manure. Further, cobalt, nickel, cadmium and arsenic content of cow dung & poultry manure and their bio slurry were within the safe limit.

Two on-stations experiments were conducted to assess the performance of bio-slurry on yield, and nutrient uptake of cabbage and cauliflower. The results showed higher yield of cauliflower and cabbage when treated with bio-slurry. Further, nutrient uptake was higher in both organic and inorganic fertiliser treated plot compared to no-fertiliser treated plot. Field experiments were used to measure the effect of bio-slurry on different crops (tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, potato, maize, boro rice and wheat), where results showed that slurry has indeed a positive impact on the crops. Further, the yield of the crops was significantly influenced by the different nutrient management options used.

The overall conclusion of the report is that bio-slurry can significantly help in reducing the fertiliser crisis around the world and in improving crop performance. The report presents detailed results from the on-station and field experiments per crop and location respectively.