A assessment of factors influencing non-adoption of biogas technology by rural households of Rwanda

Abstract

Domestic energy consumption in Rwanda represents the largest share of the total energy produced, which mainly constitutes wood-fuel. The high demand for domestic wood-fuel and environmental concerns bring to attention biogas as an alternative energy source that is reasonably feasible and unlimited in potential. The use of biogas is expected to reduce the volume of firewood used for cooking and to enhance local environmental and health conditions. However, in spite of various promotional efforts the use of biogas in Rwandese households is still limited. This study assessed the factors that influence the non-adoption of biogas technology by the rural households in Ngoma District of Eastern Province of Rwanda using a logit model. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that characteristics such as age, household size, land size, cattle ownership, gender, income, credit use and group membership were significantly different between non-adopters and adopters (p<O.O 1). The results also showed a significant difference between non-adopter and adopter households with regard to education and electricity grid connection (p<O.05). The logit model revealed that out of the 12 explanatory variables that were hypothesized to influence non-adoption of biogas technology in Rwanda, only 6 were statistically significant. These included income, credit use, age, group membership and production of fertilizer (p<O.05), and gender (p<O.l). Variables such as education, household size, electricity grid connection, cooking energy expenses, reduced deforestation and environmental perception were found not to influence the non-adoption decision of households in the study area. The results suggest that socio-economic and institutional characteristics of beneficiaries of the biogas technology are important in influencing its adoption. The study recommends that local communities be sensitized on the benefits of biogas through educational and awareness campaigns. Additionally they need to be sensitized on the functioning of financial institutions to familiarize them with the requirements and processes of financial institutions in order to induce them to borrow loans to finance the installation of biogas digesters. Furthermore, households should be encouraged to join farmer groups or cooperatives in order to access more information on the biogas technology. Given that female-headed households were found to be less likely to adopt biogas technology compared to male-headed counterparts, activities targeting women empowerment and their integration in the community should be promoted by the local authorities in charge of gender.