Mid-term review of the Biogas Support Programme: part one of phase III

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.