TY - JOUR
T1 - Changing waste into an asset: pig biogas in Lao PDR
AU - Phanthavongs, Sirixai
AU - Pearce, Meryl
AU - Saikia, Udoy
PY - 2011/10/1
Y1 - 2011/10/1
N2 - This paper is based on initial findings of research conducted between 2009 and 2010 on the value of raising pigs as a means of poverty alleviation in Lao PDR. The paper provides a comparison of two groups of households, namely those that raise pigs with biogas digesters installed, and households that raise pigs without biogas digesters. The biogas digesters transform the faecal waste matter from the pigs into energy that is used for small scale domestic cooking. The results show that households that raise pigs with biogas digesters experienced greater social, economic and environmental benefits than those without biogas digesters. Social benefits included a reduction in the time spent collecting fuel wood for cooking, thus providing more time for other productive activities. Furthermore, using biogas as an alternative to fuel wood and charcoal can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with cooking activities and decomposition of animal waste.
AB - This paper is based on initial findings of research conducted between 2009 and 2010 on the value of raising pigs as a means of poverty alleviation in Lao PDR. The paper provides a comparison of two groups of households, namely those that raise pigs with biogas digesters installed, and households that raise pigs without biogas digesters. The biogas digesters transform the faecal waste matter from the pigs into energy that is used for small scale domestic cooking. The results show that households that raise pigs with biogas digesters experienced greater social, economic and environmental benefits than those without biogas digesters. Social benefits included a reduction in the time spent collecting fuel wood for cooking, thus providing more time for other productive activities. Furthermore, using biogas as an alternative to fuel wood and charcoal can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with cooking activities and decomposition of animal waste.
KW - Fuel wood collection
KW - Household cooking
UR - http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd23/10/phan23212.htm
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80054108811&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 23
JO - Livestock Research for Rural Development
JF - Livestock Research for Rural Development
SN - 0121-3784
IS - 10
ER -