Biogas: The clean, cheap option for farmers
LIVESTOCK farmers in Wakiso, Mbale, Bukedea, Kampala and Masaka districts have massively embraced the tubular biogas digester system because it is cheap and cost-effective.
By John Kasozi
LIVESTOCK farmers in Wakiso, Mbale, Bukedea, Kampala and Masaka districts have massively embraced the tubular biogas digester system because it is cheap and cost-effective.
Biogas is an inflammable gas produced by bacteria in the process of fermentation of organic materials such as cow dung and chicken droppings in an air tight container called a digester.
Cow dung and goat droppings including urine are channelled into the digester unit, where they decompose and ferment for some days.
It is unknown to many, but biogas also improves the environment. The homes that use biogas are cleaner and do not have the smell from the dung.
The tubular system is cheap compared to other biogas energy sources such as the Chinese fixed dome, Indian floating cover digesters and hydropower and fuel wood energy systems.
Because of the polythene digester, the tubular biogas system is delicate and farmers need to be trained to handle it with care.
The productivity of biogas plants is affected by temperature.
The quantity of the gas also depends on the mixing ratios of urine and dung.
“The polythene tubular biogas system was first developed in Colombia in the 1980s. The technology was widely used in Vietnam. It was then introduced to Tanzania, Kenya and finally to Uganda,†says Andrew Yiga, a renewable energy consultant.
Dr. Sarwatt of Morogoro University, Tanzania, introduced the tubular digester in Uganda in 1996. A number of demonstration plants were constructed at Kawanda, Luweero, Kiteezi, Nansana, Nangabo and Kabanyoro.
“The low-cost tubular biogas digester costs about sh300,000 and it takes only one day to install,†he explains.
It is a simple design which is easy to set up and it is affordable for rural communities and low-income earners.
Polinal Ndimutenda, the farm manager of Harambe Training Centre in Wakiso, says since 2004, they have used biogas to cook for five hours daily. “In the long run it is cheaper than other sources of energy,†Ndimutenda says.
“The gas generated is sent to the polythene storage tank. It is from here that it is sent to the kitchen.
The by-product is used in fertilising plants and feeding fish,†says Ndimutenda.
Aida Kalule, a resident of Maganjo, Wakiso district, says her daughter used to wake up at 6:00am to prepare food using biogas.
“She found it very convenient and was always in time for her lectures. We also saved a lot of money which would have been used to buying firewood,†says Kalule.
LIVESTOCK farmers in Wakiso, Mbale, Bukedea, Kampala and Masaka districts have massively embraced the tubular biogas digester system because it is cheap and cost-effective.
Biogas is an inflammable gas produced by bacteria in the process of fermentation of organic materials such as cow dung and chicken droppings in an air tight container called a digester.
Cow dung and goat droppings including urine are channelled into the digester unit, where they decompose and ferment for some days.
It is unknown to many, but biogas also improves the environment. The homes that use biogas are cleaner and do not have the smell from the dung.
The tubular system is cheap compared to other biogas energy sources such as the Chinese fixed dome, Indian floating cover digesters and hydropower and fuel wood energy systems.
Because of the polythene digester, the tubular biogas system is delicate and farmers need to be trained to handle it with care.
The productivity of biogas plants is affected by temperature.
The quantity of the gas also depends on the mixing ratios of urine and dung.
“The polythene tubular biogas system was first developed in Colombia in the 1980s. The technology was widely used in Vietnam. It was then introduced to Tanzania, Kenya and finally to Uganda,†says Andrew Yiga, a renewable energy consultant.
Dr. Sarwatt of Morogoro University, Tanzania, introduced the tubular digester in Uganda in 1996. A number of demonstration plants were constructed at Kawanda, Luweero, Kiteezi, Nansana, Nangabo and Kabanyoro.
“The low-cost tubular biogas digester costs about sh300,000 and it takes only one day to install,†he explains.
It is a simple design which is easy to set up and it is affordable for rural communities and low-income earners.
Polinal Ndimutenda, the farm manager of Harambe Training Centre in Wakiso, says since 2004, they have used biogas to cook for five hours daily. “In the long run it is cheaper than other sources of energy,†Ndimutenda says.
“The gas generated is sent to the polythene storage tank. It is from here that it is sent to the kitchen.
The by-product is used in fertilising plants and feeding fish,†says Ndimutenda.
Aida Kalule, a resident of Maganjo, Wakiso district, says her daughter used to wake up at 6:00am to prepare food using biogas.
“She found it very convenient and was always in time for her lectures. We also saved a lot of money which would have been used to buying firewood,†says Kalule.