Kyeitembe Farmers Association Biogas Project
Due to lack of fuel, deforestation was very common in the village of Kyeitembe in Bushenyi, Uganda. Victims of this situation were children and women, since they had to fetch firewood as well as water while the men just came home to eat. The inhabitants produced a large amount of organic waste but were not able to use it as a fertilizer for their plantations due to lack of Know-how. By constructing a biogas plant, my family demonstrated how responsible waste management can work out and thus set new standards in the village. Raw materials for the production of biogas are cow and chicken dung as well as harvest wastes. My family established a zero grazing farm - cows are now held and fed in a stable in order to minimize the effort of collecting and transporting the dung.
The Meaning of the Biogas Project
Due to its successful functioning, my family’s plant has contributed a lot to the good reputation and spreading of this technology in Kyeitembe. Since firewood is hard to find and the government provides financial aid, many farmers turn to constructing similar plants. They contribute to better crops and more efficiency in agriculture, as well as to the reduction of erosion. Clean and healthy energy comes to the kitchen free of charge, due to zero grazing, parasites are reduced. Besides, the use of gas instead of dung or wood fires that cause a large amount of smoke contributes to a healthier environment. Labour for women and children is reduced in particular and on the plantations growing rates and crop amounts are improved. Since people use the wastes of the biogas plant to fertilize their plantations, waste management has improved as well. Biogas technology contributes to a more responsible use of nature and its resources. It is renewable, clean and environmentally saves and helps local economy. My family received a lot of appreciation for their pioneer work.
