Abstract:
Despite availability of raw material from zero-grazing units, adoption of slurry powered biogas
technology among smallholder dairy farmers in Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County remains low. Not
taking advantage of such alternative and renewable energy is undermining sustainable
development goals by maintaining demand for wood fuel, its negative impacts notwithstanding.
The purpose of this study was to show that the potential of biogas technology for enhancing
environmental, health and income benefits to farmers is high, and therefore needs to be
exploited. A survey study using questionnaires and key respondent interviews was used to collect
data from 120 dairy farmers, randomly selected from an official sampling frame of 1204
households having zero-grazing units. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis with focus
on identifying general trends on opportunities and challenges of adopting biogas technology in
the study area. Results indicated that the low adoption of about 36% was mainly attributed to
high initial installation costs, lack of readily available credit facilities devoted to biogas
development, and absence of locally trained biogas technicians. Dissemination of biogas
technology was constraint by poor promotional strategies, inadequate operational funds and
limited support from government. Establishing farmer-friendly biogas credit facilities and
integrating biogas technology in National and County government climate change mitigation
programmes would greatly enhance adoption and scaling-up of biogas technology within
smallholder intensive dairy systems. This necessitates strategic partnerships involving farmers, public and private sectors, and non-governmental agencies; lubricated by the common goal of
clean production and consumption patterns. |
