From Waste into Blessing: Rural Biogas

A pressing issue in rural communities is the improper disposal of agricultural waste, particularly livestock manure, which often finds its way into rivers, resulting in downstream pollution. Biogas technology emerges as a viable solution to address this problem by utilizing manure to generate energy. This not only mitigates further pollution issues but also presents a business opportunity for processing the resulting bio-slurry into fertilizer.

The research was conducted in Cibodas Village, Bandung Barat, which has been designated by the provincial government as a target for achieving energy independence. Regrettably, the government-provided biogas reactors proved to be short-lived. An alternative solution is to utilize paid reactors supplied through the Biru Program in collaboration with KPSBU, which have proven to be more durable when coupled with regular assistance and maintenance.

However, challenges persist. Some individuals continue to dispose of their bio-slurry into rivers or fields instead of processing it. This not only contributes to environmental pollution but also represents a missed business opportunity.