In the face of climate change and growing environmental concerns renewable energy sources have taken center stage in the global effort on climate change mitigation. Each individual, community and Organization has a role to play to ensure our environment is restored. The highland areas in Kenya account for the rainfall we receive every year and the agricultural products consumed in Kenya. In the rural parts of the country most households use traditional cooking fuels which are charcoal and firewood. Most urban dwellers also use charcoal and the few that can afford Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a source of cooking fuel. In the efforts to shift from traditional cooking fuels which have negative impact to the environment there has been a shift to other renewable energy sources.
Unlike traditional fuels, biogas production is a carbon neutral process. By shifting from traditional fuels to biogas, rural communities are actively contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions, a crucial step in global climate change mitigation efforts. 3E has joined in these efforts by providing the dairy farmers with biogas as a renewable source of cooking fuel. The use of biogas is one of the most sustainable sources of cooking fuel in a rural set up. The provision of biogas to households not only provides cooking fuel but also reduces the burden of the women going to fetch firewood from the forest.
The use of biogas has a tremendous impact on the individual households as well. The farmers have proper waste management in their farms, by using the cow dung in the biogas they get cooking fuel that they use for cooking. The farmers use bio slurry in the farms as fertilizer which has actually restored fertility in the farms. The farmers are using the bio slur to plant fodder for their animals. The women who spend most time in the kitchen have also seen the impact. They no longer go to the forest each day to fetch firewood. They instead use that time to attend to other household chores and farming activity, this has increased productivity. Other changes noted include efficiency, time saving, reduced firewood related hazards and reduction to smoke related health issues.
The biogas provided has reduced firewood consumption by a huge margin. Initially on average each household used more that 4 loads a week for firewood but currently the households only use 1 load a week and the smaller households do not use firewood at all.
The change is translated to at least 70% firewood consumption reduction among households that are using biogas. The farmers have also shifted to use of bio slur instead of chemical fertilizer which is translated to 65% change in farmers with biogas. All the farmers supported over time to acquire renewable energy sources are contributing positively to the environment.
Ever since I received the biogas .It has been a life changing experience for my household. It’s for us to cook with the biogas because the energy is available throughout. I can easily operate the biogas when my wife is not around. In the farm I have gradually shifted to organic farming. I do not use any chemical fertilizers and I am still having high yields. The bio slurry has helped my farm to be more productive. I want the Organization for the provision.
Said Kariuki, one of the farmers with biogas.
Renewable source of energy has truly been an impactful venture among the farmers. We have seen the impacts created in the households, farms and environment at large. We will keep supporting and even encouraging more farmers to shift towards renewable energy.
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