Abstract:
Biogas is the vital alternative source of energy in the world. Biogas technology adoption has
several hang-ups and challenges. The study aimed at assessing the challenges, opportunities
and use of biogas production in Ebentu district. Cross sectional design was used to evaluate
the challenges, opportunities and use of biogas. About 21 biogas users and 264 non biogas
users’ households were participated. Primary data were derived from field surveys using
questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The results of the study
revealed that primary cooking fuels were 243(92.04%) firewood and 109 (41.29%)charcoal.
About 17(80.95%) of the respondents with biogas users were still using wood fuel as their
main source of energy. But, the majority of the biogas users 8(38.1%) in the study area were
benefited time and improved health status from biogas. They were used biogas slurry as an
organic fertilizer to maintain soil fertility. The Use of biogas were also challenged with lack
of adequate funds (56.82%), poor infrastructure (59.85%), lack of zero grazing unit,
inadequate skilled disseminators(34.39%), poverty(56.82%), community’s negative attitude
towards biogas energy162(61.36%), high installation cost (59.85%) and lack of interest
(56.44%). In case of the opportunities towards increasing the uptake of biogas technology
among households, the study found that: micro finance (76.52%), increased government
willing and support 203(76.89%), training program for disseminators in both kebeles were
the vital items 203(76.89%). Finally, the study concludes that the potential of biogas
technology in energy provision is huge but it is poorly tapped. In order to unlock the huge
potential of biogas technology, financial credit facilities should be made. It would be more
accessible especially for the low income farmers. Sustained, comprehensive educational and
awareness creation on the use of biogas technologies should be enhanced and more efforts
ought to be done in training biogas technicians at the local level.
