Assessing the socio-cultural determinants of adoption of biogas technology in Mpigi district, Uganda

Abstract

The increasing energy poverty in Uganda is seen as a limitation to sustainable development. Hence attempts are made to disseminate and promote the relevance of clean renewable energy resources such as Biogas technology in Mpigi District to fulfill the domestic energy need. However, its use and uptake is still low and likely to keep dropping year after year. This gap prompted the study to assess the socio-cultural determinants of the adoption of biogas technology in Mpigi District. The study was to assess the determinants of adoption of biogas technology in Mpigi District and to assess the feasibility of biogas technology on the households in Mpigi District. The study obtained primary data with the help of questionnaires and interview checklists. Photography was used to show the types of biogas digesters installed. Random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. The mean, frequency and percentages described the characteristics of the households. Multiple linear regression model in SPSS was used given by equation 2. Results indicated that education level, income level, access to subsidies, proximity of the farm and cattle heads were found significant with positive and negative beta coefficient on the adoption of Biogas technology. The classification of adopters in the study was consistent with the assumptions of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory hence categories such as; innovators (17.8%), early adopters (25.7%), early majority (33.7%), late majority (15.8%) and laggards (6.9%), were identified. Cost-benefit analysis with the help of Net Present Value and Benefit Cost Ratio were used to analyze the profitability of 3 biogas digester capacities (6m3, 9m3, and 13m3). The Discount Rate of 7 % and the period of 20 years lifespan of biogas digesters were considered in the economic evaluation of each biogas digester. The 9m3 biogas digesters were found as the most profitable with the highest Benefit Cost Ratio=7.8, 6.5 for 6m3 and 2 for 13m3. Besides, 6m3 mostly dominate the area for being affordable in terms of dung and costs required. In addition, estimations indicated Mpigi Town Council with a total reduction of 182,613 kg CO2e from biogas use in a year, better than other Sub Counties. The study highlighted the need for the government to promote 9m3 biogas digester if adopters are to benefit from biogas technology and increase access to subsidies and credit to potential adopters to reduce on initial costs by the government policy makers and biogas companies. The study recommends further research on why biogas from other (human excreta and pig manure) feedstock are less utilized at the household level.