Factors leading to adoption of biogas as an alternative source of energy among farmers in Mukurwe-ini constituency, Nyeri County, Kenya
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Date
2011Author
Mureithi, Wycliff K
Type
ThesisLanguage
en_USMetadata
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In Kenya biogas production has been practiced for more than 30 years. However, widespread adoption has been hampered by inadequate information on its production, and potential benefits, and the prohibitively high costs of earlier designs. Karanja (2001). Although these systems have been successful in their countries of origin, adoption in Kenya has been minimal because of expensive installation costs estimated at more than Ksh 50,000 per unit (Camartec et.al (1990).
Since adoption of the technology is as a result of various compelling factors, this promoted the researcher to assess the extent to which the level of dairy farming, the Government and NGO support, sensitization by the media and to access to credit has led to adoption of biogas as an alternative source of energy in Mukurwe-ini constituency.
From literature reviewed, much has been documented on varIOUS technologies of biogas construction with little emphasis on factors that lead to its adoption. The study employed a descriptive survey approach. A sample of 208 small scale farmers and two dairy co-operative societies' managers was taken. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedule. SPSS package was used for data analysis. Ratios, frequency distributions and mode were used as tools of data analysis to develop the relationship between variables.
The study concludes that access to credit, little or no government and NGOs support have impacted negatively. To counter these effects more programmes should be initiated where the government and NGOs should be the key stakeholders and sensitization of the same conducted through the media in order to reach a vast range of farmers.
Publisher
University of Nairobi, Kenya