Publications

Looking back at the history of SNV in Rwanda since its inception in 1981

This brochure introduces SNVs work in Agricultural and Forest products in Asia. SNV Asia works to ensure the rural poor gain full benefits from their land and forests, enhancing productivity, increasing incomes and improving living conditions while striving to protect these natural resources from degradation.

A capability statement concerning our work on Agricultural and Forest products in Asia.

Démarche méthodologique pour la formulation de projets.

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 article describes the biogas activities in Asia by highlighting the success stories of China, India, and Nepal. Further, the article describes the scaling up of the Asia Biogas Programme. Vietnam is highlighted and the National Biogas and Manure Programme in Nepal is described, as well as the Biodigester Support Programme in Cambodia. Further, the article continues with CDM as a financing instrument.

The report concludes that it is most unfortunate that the reference to projects that replace nonrenewable biomass has been removed from the small-scale CDM methodologies. It is of hope that alternative methods for calculating emission reductions for small-scale project activities that propose the switch from non-renewable to renewable biomass will become available soon.

This document presents basic information about biogas technology in the form of Biogas Digest Volume 1. The document contains 14 sections. They are respectively:
• Biogas Basics
• History of Biogas Technology
• Microbiology
• Parameters and process optimisation
• They Physical Appearance of Different Types of Biogas Plants
• Biogas Appliances
• Organic Fertilizer from Biogas Plants
• The Contribution of Biogas Technology to Conservation and Development
• Limitations of Biogas Technology
• Biogas – Framework Conditions
• Socio-Cultural Aspects of Biogas Projects
• Social Problems Affecting the Propagation of Biogas Technology
• Political and Administrative Frame Conditions for Biogas Programmes
• Environmental Frame Conditions of Biogas Technology

This document presents basic information about biogas technology in the form of Biogas Digest Volume 4. The document contains 19 sections on different countries and regions. They are respectively:
• Biogas technology in Bangladesh
• Biogas technology in Belize
• Biogas technology in Bolivia (region Chochabamba)
• Biogas technology in Burundi
• Biogas technology in China (Sichuan)
• Biogas technology in Columbia
• Biogas technology in India
• Biogas technology in Orissa (India)
• Biogas technology in Sangli (India)
• Biogas technology in the Ivory Coast (region of Korhogo)
• Biogas technology in Jamaica
• Biogas technology on Java (province of Central Java)
• Biogas technology in Kenya
• Biogas technology in Morocco (region of Souss-Massa)
• Biogas technology in Nepal
• Biogas technology in Tanzania
• Biogas technology in Thailand
• Biogas technology in Tunisia (Sejenane, El Kef)
• Biogas technology in Vietnam

Kossmann, W., Ponits, U., Habermehl, S., et al., Biogas digest: biogas application and product development (volume II), ISAT & GTZ, 1997, 81p.

This document presents basic information about biogas technology in the form of Biogas Digest Volume 2. The document contains 26 sections. They are respectively:
• Biogas – Application and Product Development
• Biogas – Digester Types
• Biogas Plant Types and Design
• Parts of Biogas Plants
• Optional Parts of Biogas Plants
• Balancing Biogas Production and Energy Demand
• Biogas Planning Guide
• Step-by-Step Planning Checklist for Biogas Plants
• Sizing a biogas plan
• Siting of the Biogas Unit
• Substrate types and management
• Construction Details of Biogas Plants
• Checklist for building a biogas plant
• Piping Systems
• Pumps for Biogas Plants
• Heating
• Agitation
• Slurry-Use Equipment
• Plasters and Coats for Digester and Gas-Holders
• Underground Water
• Operation and Use
• Biogas- Sludge Management
• Annual Manure Yield and Nutrient Content of Animal Excrements
• Maintenance, Monitoring and Repair
• Biogas Utilization
• Gas Yields and Methane Contents for Various Substrates

This document presents basic information about biogas technology in the form of Biogas Digest Volume 3. The document contains 17 sections. They are respectively:
• Biogas – Cost and Benefits
• The Benefits for Biogas Users
• Costs of a Biogas Plant
• Macro-economic evaluation
• Economic Viability (Financial Analysis)
• Cost benefit relation (investment calculation, sensitivity analysis)
• The Annuities Method
• Benefit and Impacts of Biogas Technology
• World Environmental Benefits of Biogas Technology
• Financing and public support
• Biogas- Program Implementation
• Biogas Programme Structure
• Criteria for the Dissemination of Biogas Technology
• Information and Public Relation Campaigns
• Educational and Training Programs
• Financial Promotion and Public Support
• Biogas – Organizations and Networks

A better life for two million households in Africa through the implementation of domestic biogas plants was the ambitious target set at a May 2007 conference in Nairobi, Kenya, organized by the Biogas Africa Initiative.

This article goes into the past of biogas in Africa, its technical potential and current biogas needs. Further, it reports the launching of the Africa Biogas Initiative in May 2007 in Nairobi and the endorsement of the business plan, which aims to install 20 million biogas plants in Africa by 2020. The vision of the Initiative is to succeed in the implementation of biogas technology in African countries as a market-oriented partnership between governments, private sector players, civil society agents and international development partners. The specific targets of the initiative to be achieved by 2020 are presented in the article. The article also presents a short explanation of the guiding principles for national programmes and it concludes with activities in Africa at country level and the way forward.