Technical and Social Problems for the Propagation of Biogas in Rwanda

Abstract

Rwanda is a small country in central-east Africa. It has a very high population density. Deforestation for cooking purposes has led to severe problems. An extensive study has shown that the improvement of cooking stoves and the introduction of biogas production technology is of the very first order of importance for the country.

In a FAO program, some Chinese design plants have been constructed. It is shown that for geographical, demographical, and sociocultural reasons, other designs are more appropriate to the local conditions. The most suitable solution for the small farms in Rwanda seem to be small-scale, discontinuously-fed digesters for the handling of solid wastes.