VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo VGRRC, Women Unions, DED & SNV Methane (Biogas) from Anaerobic Digesters

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Who we are Goat and Rabbit Research Centre in Vietnam (VGRRC) located in Ha Tay Province founded in scientific and extension staff 64,9 ha 50 ha for trials fodder production, trial fields intercropping, forest and fish ponds VGRRC demonstrates the advantages of integrated farming on site

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Ha Tay Province in northern Vietnam km² 14 Districts Ba Vi National park 7000 ha Population: Kinh Muong & Dao (ethnic Minorities) Main sources of income: Agriculture, Small Business, Tourism Average per capita income per annum: 70 bis 120 US$ Ha Tay Province Hanoi

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Ha Tay Province Son Tay and Ba Vi district Son Tay & Ba Vi

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo What we do: What we do: Research Extension Training Integrated Farming Systems Sustainable Development Goat, sheep and rabbit husbandry Renewable Energies

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Results achieved so far are based on simple low-cost technologies and on training. The main beneficiaries are small-scale women farmers who not only carry out much of the work at farm level but who were and continue to be the processors and marketers of their high quality products. Biogas technology is a complete system in itself with its set objectives (cost effective production of energy and soil nutrients). The residue is known as effluent. It is an almost pathogen-free stabilized manure that can be used to maintain soil fertility, fertilize fishponds end enhance crop production. This approach enabled the provision of a higher rates of return to farmers and has contributed to a successful and sustainable operation of the farms. This approach also attracted significant attention from other donors.

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Methane (Biogas) from Anaerobic Digesters Mrs. Hue and her family had a biogas system installed in Spring 2002 Mrs. Hue has a small restaurant in Ba Vi village Her husband is fattening pigs in the backyard Mrs.Hue, her husband & Mr. Lin, Mai 2002

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Batch-type digesters The anaerobic digester is made out of concrete and placed underground

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne HugoInlet The design consists of an inlet connecting the stable to the biogas digester manure is washed into the digester when the stable floor is flushed with water this reduces the work load of the farmer considerably Outlets from empty stables can be temporarily blocked with rocks

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne HugoOutlet The design includes an outlet to distribute the effluent directly to the field or into a fish pond

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Processing of wastes for energy recovery & nutrient recycling The solid material drawn from the digester is called sludge, or effluent. It is rich in nutrients: ammonia, phosphorus, potassium and more than a dozen trace elements It is an almost pathogen-free stabilized manure that can be used to maintain soil fertility, fertilize fishponds end enhance crop production. here, the effluent is used to fertilize a fishpond

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Cooking with Biogas Biogas is odourless The flame is bright, and burns steadily All types of gas cookers available in Son Tay can use biogas

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Cooking with Biogas Mrs. Hue uses biogas in her restaurant and for preparing meals for her family

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Improved living conditions A new toilet was built, improving the familys sanitary conditions the toilet is also connected to the biogas digester, thus processing human wastes

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Direct impact Reduced fuel demands eases the workload of the women who collect it Reduced needs of fuel wood results in considerable savings for the household Women are less exhausted and spend more quality time with their families The reduction in pollutants improves the health status of the women who work in the kitchen Women in Kim Son, Son Tay transport the fuel wood needed on their way back home from work in the factory

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Converting Manure Biogas offers an environmental-friendly way of converting manure into methane and almost pathogen- free stabilized fertilizer its primary benefits are: waste treatment converting manure into energy and almost pathogen-free stabilized manure fertilizer odour control nutrient recycling on-farm

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne HugoExtension Mr. Son in front of a biogas cooker in an ethnic minority cooking-house Regular extension visits are made VGRRC provides assistance and advise VGRRC co-operates with local women unions the German Development Service (DED) and the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) in setting up biogas units in Ba Vi and Son Tay

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo Training courses for subsistence farmers in their villages VGRRC offers training courses for subsistence farmers at VGRRC at their villages Participants of a training course in Van Hoa, November 2002

VGRRC: Renewable energies (biogas) by Susanne Hugo You can find us in the WWW: For example at or contact by by Telephone: 0084 (0) via Fax: 0084 (0)