The pressure of population growth has been increasing in Nepal day by day. The demand of food and fuel supply is also increasing at an alarming rate, which will further continue to increase in the days to come. However, very limited sources of food and fuel are available in Nepal. Even these limited sources are not exploited effectively and efficiently. It is well realized that the conventional sources of fuel supply in Nepal are not sustainable. It is, therefore imperative to properly conserve and utilize the conventional sources of energy. Such sources of energy include fuel wood, agricultural residue and animal waste. Sustainable fuel wood supply from existing forest and other sources was estimated at 7.5 million tons for the year 1993. Agricultural residues and animal waste production for that year was estimated at 11.0 million tons each (WECS, 1994). These sources meet about 91 percent of total national energy consumption.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF BIOGAS: A STUDY OF BHAKTAPUR DISTRICT
1 Bio Gas in Nepal
The pressure of population growth has been increasing in Nepal day by day. The demand of food and fuel supply is also increasing at an alarming rate, which will further continue to increase in the days to come. However, very limited sources of food and fuel are available in Nepal. Even these limited sources are not exploited effectively and efficiently. It is well realized that the conventional sources of fuel supply in Nepal are not sustainable. It is, therefore imperative to properly conserve and utilize the conventional sources of energy. Such sources of energy include fuel wood, agricultural residue and animal waste. Sustainable fuel wood supply from existing forest and other sources was estimated at 7.5 million tons for the year 1993. Agricultural residues and animal waste production for that year was estimated at 11.0 million tons each (WECS, 1994). These sources meet about 91 percent of total national energy consumption.
Nepal has an estimated area of 9.2 million hectares of potentially productive forest, shrub and grassland of which 3.5 million hectares are considered to be accessible for fuel wood collection. Sustainable yield from this accessible area was estimated to be about 7.5 million tons, while total fuel wood consumption was estimated to be about 11 million tons. Mainly felling of trees and burning more of agricultural and animal waste met the deficit. The possibility of fuel wood substitution by kerosene is limited to urban areas alone due to the limited transport network and low affordability of a majority of the population in rural areas.
The use of this traditional source of energy has negative consequences on human health. Burning of agricultural residue and animal waste may have serious consequences such as deprivation of organic matter to agricultural land, irreversible loss of soil fertility, loss of productivity as well as environmental and health hazard. Due to indoor air pollution, female members are highly vulnerable to respiratory diseases. They often come across dizziness and headache problems due to smoky environment in the kitchen. Therefore agricultural residue and animal waste may not be considered as long term viable solution to energy problem. A promotion of alternative energy option is essential for energy balance and to promote alternative technologies such as biogas, micro-hydro, solar, wind energy and renewable biomass production.
2 Bio Gas and Its Impact in Population
The alternative energy problems such as biogas, micro hydro, improved cooking stoves; solar water heaters, etc. have not been able to figure in the market economy. The most of the renewable technologies are subsidy dependent. It is most essential to provide a range of technological options for specific end-use of energy. The previous government policies about these technologies have done few changes but not enough because there was lack of co-ordination between various agencies without a single organization being responsible for the promotion and dissemination. Most of these technologies may be still found without operation in Nepal. Wind and solar energy exploitation evolves sophisticated technology, which is capital intensive. Installation of micro and mini hydro power plants too is not feasible in all the areas due to unavailability of perennial water sources. Hence, in order to solve the energy problem of Nepal's rural areas; a fast, easily implemented, cost-efficient, small scale, completely decentralized renewable alternate, which is technically feasible and economically viable has to be promoted in line with other technologies. Even though it is doubtless that biogas has lots of benefits, it is to be studied that, what the socio-economic impact in real is. The result of the study can be disseminated throughout the country particularly for end-users and policy makers.
Energy sources in Nepal can be broadly categorized into three groups such as traditional biomass energy, commercial non-biomass energy and alternative energy. Traditional energy includes fuel wood, agricultural residue and animal waste. Commercial energy comprises electricity, petroleum products and coal. Alternative energy sources include biogas, hydropower, solar and wind energy.
3 Biogas Technology
Biogas technology is one of the most trusted and popular alternative energy sources used for cooking and lighting particularly in rural Nepal. The book written by Mr. Govinda Devkota reveals this fact that the biogas technology is absolutely useful for the Nepalese context mainly from the technological point of views. Further clarification to the socio-economic impact from the biogas plants is needed. The other works (given below) on this sector has given some additional justification and information but still more information can for this sector will be beneficial.
Karki and Gurung (1996) found that all farmers, since the initiation of these programmes, started storing the slurry in compost pits. They report that the farmers use, on an average, 3.6 kg dry materials per day to absorb the moisture in the slurry as well as for the purpose of composting. Rice straw was used as composting material in the Terai whereas those in the hilly regions consisted of weeds, grasses and wasted fodder. Farmers were well aware of the superior fertilizing value of the slurry in comparison to Farm Yard Manure (FYM). Due to the limited availability of composting material and in consideration to the economic value of production, farmers tended to use higher rates of compost for vegetables (36 to 60 t/h) and only a moderate rate (6 to 15 t/h) for the cereals.
The authors recommend conducting research to study different composting materials for obtaining optimum nutritional enrichment of the slurry, and agronomic studies about its effects on various crops. They also suggest the need to improve the methods of extension and provision of training especially catering to the needs and requirements of the female members of the society. The study conducted by Van Vliet and Van Nes (1993) concluded that
The reduction in workload of women as a result of installing biogas plants amounts to a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 7 hours per family per day” (p. 25). When pressed with the labour shortage for such works in family, it is the female children who have to forego their schooling (p. 25)
The use of organic wastes, of which the vegetable, kitchen waste and human and animal excreta comprise the main part, for the production of biogas is an environment-friendly technology both in the urban and as well as rural areas. When applied, it will benefit the marginal farmers in rural and suburban areas and at the same time it will initiate at source management of municipal solid waste in urban areas. “It will decrease firewood, fossil fuel as well as chemical fertilizer demand thus saving the foreign currency of the country and discouraging deforestation” (Kanel, 1999, p. 2).
REFERENCES
Biogas Sector Partnership. (BSP). (2007). Bio gas in Nepal. Retrieved from http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/bsp.
Biogas Support Program. (BSP). (2002). An integrated environment impact assessment. Kathmandu: Author.
Cooper, D., & Schinlder, P. (2003). Business research methods. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.
Kanel, N. R. (1999). An evaluation of BSP subsidy scheme for biogas plants. Kathmandu: BSP.
Karki, K.B. & B. Gurung (2000). Evaluation of biogas slurry extension pilot program. Katmandu: AEPC.
Ministry of Science and Technology. (MOST). (2001). Alternative energy promotion center (AEPC) biogas users survey 2000/2001. Kathmandu. Author.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic of the text "SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF BIOGAS: A STUDY OF BHAKTAPUR DISTRICT"?
The text focuses on the socio-economic benefits of biogas in Nepal, specifically within the Bhaktapur District. It discusses the importance of biogas as an alternative energy source and its impact on the population.
What are the primary energy sources mentioned in the text?
The text categorizes energy sources in Nepal into three groups: traditional biomass energy (fuel wood, agricultural residue, and animal waste), commercial non-biomass energy (electricity, petroleum products, and coal), and alternative energy sources (biogas, hydropower, solar, and wind energy).
What are the negative consequences of using traditional energy sources like fuel wood, agricultural residue, and animal waste?
The use of these traditional sources has negative consequences such as deprivation of organic matter to agricultural land, irreversible loss of soil fertility, loss of productivity, environmental and health hazards, and indoor air pollution, which particularly affects female members of households.
What are the advantages of biogas technology, according to the text?
Biogas technology is presented as a trusted and popular alternative energy source, especially for cooking and lighting in rural Nepal. It is considered a fast, easily implemented, cost-efficient, small-scale, decentralized renewable alternate that is technically feasible and economically viable.
What impact does biogas have on workload, especially for women?
According to the text, installing biogas plants can reduce the workload of women by a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 7 hours per family per day.
What does the text say about the use of slurry produced from biogas plants?
The text mentions that farmers have started storing the slurry in compost pits and use it as fertilizer. Farmers are aware of the superior fertilizing value of the slurry compared to Farm Yard Manure (FYM), and use higher rates of compost for vegetables.
What are some of the recommendations made in the text regarding biogas technology?
The authors recommend conducting research to study different composting materials for obtaining optimum nutritional enrichment of the slurry, and agronomic studies about its effects on various crops. They also suggest the need to improve the methods of extension and provision of training, especially catering to the needs and requirements of the female members of the society.
What are some potential benefits of using organic wastes for biogas production?
The text indicates that using organic wastes for biogas production is an environment-friendly technology in both urban and rural areas. It can benefit marginal farmers in rural and suburban areas and initiate at-source management of municipal solid waste in urban areas. It also decreases the demand for firewood, fossil fuels, and chemical fertilizers, thus saving foreign currency and discouraging deforestation.
What are the references included in the text?
The references include publications from Biogas Sector Partnership (BSP), Biogas Support Program (BSP), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and research papers by Karki and Gurung, Cooper and Schinlder, Kanel, Sharma.
- Quote paper
- Rajib Maharjan (Author), 2008, Socio-Economic Benefit of Biogas. A Study of Bhaktapur District, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/285808