Resource information
Clean, safe energy for rural areas is an
important component of green growth and sustainable
development. Biogas could be an important contributor, if
its record in reality lives up to its expected potential.
This paper provides a preliminary assessment of biogas use
by smallholder farmers in rural China, using data collected
from 2,700 households in five provinces. The authors find
that user satisfaction is high, and environmental and
economic benefits appear tangible. There are strong
indications of reduced use of wood and crop residues for
fuel. Less time is spent on collecting fuel wood and
cooking, which is especially beneficial to women. Adopters
also save on fertilizers, because of the use of biogas
residues. Moreover, problems with suspension of biogas use,
whether due to technical or human factors, remained limited.
However, few tangible benefits to respiratory health were
detected. Overall, these findings are grounds for optimism
about the potential for of smallholder biogas to contribute
to more sustainable development, in China and beyond.
