Publications

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.

Biogas user survey pilot programme 2007 in Lao PDR, 2007, 56 pages.

This field study evaluates the performance of existing biogas plants under the framework of the Biogas Pilot Programme (BPP) in Lao PDR. Study findings indicated that out of the theoretical quantity of available dung, only 44% was fed into the plant. Further, 95% of the households produced the required quantity of feeding materials, and the water-dung ration was correct in 80% of the cases. The collective  performance efficiency of the biogas plants was 97%, but when viewed from the overall size of biogas plant, efficiency dropped to 73% because of lesser feeding than required. Study findings also indicated that gas was sufficient in only 85% and that in order to meet the total demand the average feeding rate needed to be increased from the existing 25.45kg/plant/day to 32.59kg/plant/day. The general physical condition of 85% of the plants was good and all plants were functioning. The overall study outcome indicated that the existing biogas plants were functioning at a satisfactory level and affecting the users positively. The functional plants have also been found to serve as effective tools for the promotion and extension of the technology.

Based on the findings, thorough recommendations were designed for implementation. Some of them stated the need for effective post-construction services, training course design on effective composting, handling and application of slurry, placing quality as a prime concern of the biogas programme, etc. All recommendations, as well as detailed description of the findings can be found in the report.

This is a presentation of the general findings of the Biogas Users’ Survey – 2008. The presentation contains information on the following subjects:

•  Overview of biogas plants visited
•  Socio-economic data
•  Age of biogas plants and costs of installation
•  Information on feeding and gas production
•  Frequency of operational activities
•  Common problems reported
•  Sufficiency of gas
•  Functioning of biogas plants
•  Level of users’ satisfaction
•  Physical condition of plants and components
•  Use of fuel sources and saving
•  Time saving
•  IRR of 4 cum biogas plant
•  Benefits, demerits and recommendations by users

This study provides accurate assessment of the level of impact achieved by the Biogas Pilot Programme (BPP) in terms of health and sanitation, saving conventional energy sources, workload reduction, and soil fertility when bio-slurry is used as fertiliser.

Study findings indicated that people have a generally positive attitude towards biogas and they are aware of many of its advantages. Saving time and energy, and receiving a subsidy were seen as the main reasons for the installation. Further, 83% of users were fully satisfied with the plant, while the remaining were only partially satisfied because of its inability to meet their total demand. In terms of workload reduction, findings revealed that an average household saved 63minutes a day by using biogas. Saving of conventional energy sources (fuel wood, electricity, LPG, charcoal) is also an important positive impact of biogas, which has also brought financial benefits in terms of reduced or eliminated use of cooking fuels. As for bio-slurry, 47% of users rated slurry as effective as farm-yard manure (FYM), and another 47% saw it as better than FYM. In terms of health and sanitation, 36% of users reported an improvement of eye diseases which were present before the installation.

Based on the study findings, recommendations for future improvement were designed on five levels: alternative strategies to target the poorer households, feedstock supply, alternative promotion strategies, improvement of after-sales service, and biogas equipment package. All recommendations, as well as detailed description of the findings can be found in the report.

SNV Lao PDR: Intervention strategy for the development of biofuels; analysis of opportunities and challenges from a smallholder point of view (2009)

This case analyses the role and involvement of SNV in the development of the biofuel value chain in Lao PDR. Biofuel is a new and innovative sector raising questions, uncertainties but also promises and guarantees as new source of energy. Impacts are focused on creating employment, diversifying income, and increasing production while providing safer and cleaner access to energy for rural communities.

The document is divided into two main parts: the first part describes the opportunities and provides background information in the Asian Region on biofuel market, biofuel policy and biofuel feedstocks while the second part illustrates the challenges through a business case approach for SNV intervention in Lao PDR and providing an intern Return on Investment. The business case on Jatropha tries to answer a simple question: Can biofuel generates incomes for rural communities, while preserving environment and contributes to SNV impact areas? Details and numbers regarding the business case are compiled.

This case argues that SNV could consider the biofuel value chain as a promising source of revenue, income and production for rural communities that could be linked to growing market demand in the country as well as in the region. SNV’s return on investment is positive even with present economic turmoil and conservative figures of projection. Yet, the investment plan for SNV must consider an inclusive business approach targeting policy, environment and social aspects to created an enabling environment for biofuel sustainable production and consumption.

SNV Lao PDR: Intervention strategy for the development of biofuels; analysis of opportunities and challenges from a smallholder point of view (2009)

This case analyses the role and involvement of SNV in the development of the biofuel value chain in Lao PDR. Biofuel is a new and innovative sector raising questions, uncertainties but also promises and guarantees as new source of energy. Impacts are focused on creating employment, diversifying income, and increasing production while providing safer and cleaner access to energy for rural communities.

The document is divided into two main parts: the first part describes the opportunities and provides background information in the Asian Region on biofuel market, biofuel policy and biofuel feedstocks while the second part illustrates the challenges through a business case approach for SNV intervention in Lao PDR and providing an intern Return on Investment. The business case on Jatropha tries to answer a simple question: Can biofuel generates incomes for rural communities, while preserving environment and contributes to SNV impact areas? Details and numbers regarding the business case are compiled.

This case argues that SNV could consider the biofuel value chain as a promising source of revenue, income and production for rural communities that could be linked to growing market demand in the country as well as in the region. SNV’s return on investment is positive even with present economic turmoil and conservative figures of projection. Yet, the investment plan for SNV must consider an inclusive business approach targeting policy, environment and social aspects to created an enabling environment for biofuel sustainable production and consumption.

This study assesses the opportunity of providing finance to potential biogas users by linking banks with biogas constructors or Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), taking into account the infancy of the market and the current inexistence of biogas constructors. A household and a rural financial services survey were conducted in order to determine the plausibility of the project.

The household survey revealed that the majority of households have not heard about biogas, but after a brief explanation of the concept, 83% expressed strong interest in installing biogas if they first see an operating plant. Currently, 75% of households use firewood for fuel.

To determine the availability of financial services, their outreach and offered terms, a Rural Financial Services survey was conducted, where it was evident that although there was nothing explicitly noted in the banking law about banks making wholesale loans to MFIs, a reform of the Microfinance Regulation was underway with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). There were three financial institutions interested in becoming both a wholesaler and a retailer (Agricultural Promotion Bank-ABP; Fond de Cooperative-FC; Ekphattana Microfinance Institution-EMI), and two other financial institutions interested in becoming a retailer only (The Rural Development Cooperative-RDC; Seno Savings and Credit Union). It is important to note that although all these institutions expressed an interest, most of them had limited outreach. Suggestions to improve the link between microfinance and biogas, as well as specific recommendations related to potential biogas users and financial institutions are present in the report.

This study examines the important possibility of marketing biogas slurry as a value added product in Lao PDR.

The adoption of biogas digesters in the area has been slower than expected and the Biogas Promotion Project (BPP) expected more people to build digesters if aware for the market possibility for the waste product (slurry). The study area (Vientiane Capital Region) is an important agricultural zone with the production of rice, vegetables, fruit, by using organic and conventional farming methods. Although organic fertilisers such as manure, compost and crop residues were available, product markets were inefficient. Selling liquid slurry directly from the slurry pond was seen as a good option as it required little or no investment. The report discussed in detail the various advantages (e.g. slurry contains a full range of plant nutrients and micro-nutrients) and disadvantages (e.g. fresh slurry is bulky, and difficult to store, transport and apply compared to competing products such as chemical fertilisers) of biogas slurry with respect to its marketing potential.

As a most viable future action it was recommended that BPP focused on marketing liquid slurry as a specialty fertiliser for vegetable and fruit production. Further, organic vegetable firms were seen as the best target market for slurry sales because of their organisation into producer groups, followed by organic rice farmers and vegetable farmers also seen as an important market. According to the other extensive recommendations for future action, BPP should bring slurry sellers and potential buyers together to meet and exchange information.

The fifth meeting of network of experts was organised in Vientiane, Lao PDR, during the period April 3-4, 2008. This meeting of experts followed the internal Biogas/Renewable Energy Team Meeting of SNV Asia Region.

The overall objective of the meeting of the network of experts was to present and discuss possibilities for the improvements of the biogas appliances being used under the frameworks of different biogas programmes. The key question was: what are the major areas of enhancement of appliances to improve their efficiency, and what are the possible methods/mechanisms to do so?

This brief report summarises the purpose, schedule, presentations and outcome of discussions related to the fifth meeting of the SNV external biogas network.

Main activities of the meeting schedule included:
• Field visit to Vientiane Capital
• Presentation by Jeroen van Bruggen on carbon strategies for domestic biogas programmes
• Discussion, meeting and dinner with Lao biogas stakeholders and SNV/Lao PDR.
• Presentation by Dr. A.K. Kurchania, Professor and Head of the Department of Renewable Energy Sources, Udaipur, India, on the results and recommendations of the testing of biogas stoves and lamps by three institutes (Netherlands, China and India).
• Plenary discussion on the results and recommendations of the testing of biogas stoves and lamps by three institutes (Netherlands, China and India).

Group discussions, presentations and plenary discussion on functioning and possible improvement of biogas stove (including tap) and lamp, mixer device, dome gas pipe, main gas valve, water drain, pressure indicator and pipes & fittings.

This study examines the various aspects of an implementation plan prepared for launching a Biogas Pilot Programme (BPP) in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Feasibility studies have shown that the country has high technical potential for biogas, as a result of which BPP has been developed with the purpose of establishing biogas pilot activities to form the basis of a future larger scale biogas programme.

The study presents 10 essential components needed for the successful establishment of the programme. Promotion (component 1) would be at the head of the programme and would work on two levels to promote biogas itself and biogas as a technology. The financing component has three distinct aspects, namely Farmer Contributions, Credit and Subsidy. The construction/after-sales component’s function would be to facilitate the digesters construction through supporting biogas small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Quality management would serve to maximise the investment effectiveness. Training would ensure that all relevant parties possess the necessary skills for plants operation. The Extension component would disseminate the results of research and would facilitate development of demonstration activities. An important function of the institutional support component would be to support biogas related institutions - Implementing agency and Biogas Advisory Board. The Monitoring component would focus on three areas: monitoring of project implementation, quality control of digester construction, and maintenance and impact on users. As for Project management, The Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) would be the executing partner.

All components, their purpose and objectives are explained in detail in the report.

Improved Cook Stove Project (ICS) has received financial support from Oxfam Novib and technical assistance (TA) from SNV Netherland Development Organization in Laos. ICS programme is under the management and implementation of Non-profit Association for Rural Mobilisation and Improvement (NORMAI).

The main objective of HFCT is to assess how much fuel efficient ICS is in comparison with traditional cook stoves. This is to assess and analyse fuel consumption when the stoves are used under common domestic day-to-day cooking conditions.

In partnership with Oxfam Novib and WWF, SNV Laos prepared a detailed project implementation design study for an 8 year Improved Cook Stove program in Laos aiming at the production of 420,000 ICS in 5 provinces. As a result of this study, Oxfam Novib and SNV initiated a 2 year Improved Cook Stove Project in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR. During the first year the focus will be on the establishment of a solid baseline, but by the end of 2012 30,000 ICS will have been produced as results of the programs interventions.

The survey was focused on four districts (Nasaithong, Parkngum, Xaithany and Hatxaiphong) in Lao PDR. The objectives of this survey are to identify the biogas user in semi-urban areas in Vientiane Capital. The livestock situation in these areas is appraised and the utilization of energy sources is also surveyed. Finally, the availability of micro credit system in the villages is also identified.

This report presents the findings on livestock practice, energy use and credit facilities in the area. The report concludes that Vientiane Capital is the most suitable for the initiation of the Biogas Project because suitable technical and financial conditions are available. About 30% of the visited households express interest for biogas, but some of them are not clear on the contribution part expected from them, because the Biogas Project has not decided on the most appropriate biogas digester for the context of Lao PDR. A small credit system is already in place in the villages which can support the loan for contribution to biogas plants.