Biogas Programs

Biogas is produced when manure is processed in a bio-digester. Specific quantities of manure and water are "fed" into the bio-digester, where the manure breaks down and produces two byproducts. The first, methane gas, is used for lighting and cooking in the household. The other, called slurry, is used as organic fertilizer.

Manure from cattle, water buffalo, goats and even humans is suitable for biogas units but manure from poultry is not. Several of our country programs have small biogas initiatives that accompany other projects. Uganda has our only national program. The amount of gas and fertilizer produced depends on the amount of manure and water present; there are minimum or maximum levels depending upon the size of the bio-digester. With several head of cattle, there is enough of both to sustain a family. However, there is not infrastructure or quantity enough to sell into any regional or national energy grid.