The Challenges of Promoting and Adopting Biogas Technology as Alternative Energy Source in Semi-Arid Areas of Tanzania: The Case of Kongwa and Bahi Districts of Dodoma Region
Biogas technology was introduced in central Tanzania as an alternative renewable source of energy following domestic energy crisis. Despite the biogas project being operational in Dodoma region since 1994, the technology adoption level has remained low and on the decreasing rate. The aim of this study was to explore the root causes for low adoption level of biogas technology. The study was conducted in Kongwa and Bahi Districts in Dodoma Region. It employed a multi-stage sampling procedure involving purposive selection of the study villages which have been reached by the biogas project with the purpose of capturing the experiences of biogas users and other potential adopters. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection and analysis. A conceptual framework based on adoption theories guided the analysis of factors influencing biogas adoption.The study findings have shown that, the adoption of biogas technology in Dodoma ranged from 0.06 to 0.5% across the region. Adoption increased gradually from year 1994 to 2005 after which it abruptly dropped. The decline is associated with reduction of subsidies for biogas plants constructions. Based on the marginal effect concept, the major factors influencing the adoption of biogas in the study area, arranged from the most influential factor were: Awareness (0.2342), Technical service availability (0.1482) and Age of respondents (0.1128). Other significant factors include; knowledge of the technology, water availability and access to credit, income and education level of household head. The study has further established that government institutions have not fully engaged themselves in promoting biogas technology instead responsibility for development of biogas projects has been left to non-governmental organizations without effectual intervention of government agents. This situation has had implication on other factors including; information dissemination, access to credits, motivation and coordination of sectors and stakeholders dealing with biogas dissemination.Based on the findings, this study recommends the following; first, the ministry responsible for energy should improve policy environment by specifying appropriate implementation strategies, financial support and coordination of biogas programmes. Secondly, programme implementers should use effective promotional approaches. Lastly ongoing initiatives such as the Tanzania Domestic Biogas Programme should seriously consider the short-comings addressed by this study and experiences of the existing biogas projects to improve the technology and ensure its sustainability.
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