RWANDA BIOGAS PROMOTION

A proposal for biogas

promotion in the Domestic

Biogas Programme in

Rwanda

2Rwanda Biogas Promotion

Context• 2006 pilot year, followed by phase I which runs

till the end of 2010;• programme and partnership on demand of

MININFRA (MoU signed);• administrative re-organisation has just taken

place in Rwanda;• Rwanda only has institutional plants;• at present, domestic biogas technology, its

benefits and requirements are hardly known to

potential users.

3Rwanda Biogas Promotion

What has been done till now?

• Radio interview on the programme’s intentions

during the opening reception of the new SNV

offices;• television-coverage during the signing of the

MININFRA-SNV MoU (2006-2010);• visits to the 4 new provinces, reintroducing SNV

and its practise areas (including biogas) to the

new local government officials.

4Rwanda Biogas Promotion

What has been foreseen

• The finalised implementation plan will be

presented to district representatives

((non)government, private sector, associations)

in all 4 provinces (including TV & radio

coverage);• followed by short and continued Kinyarwanda

radio messages that contain information on the

functioning of the programme, biogas, its

benefits, costs, installers, subsidy and loan

provisions;

5Rwanda Biogas Promotion

What has been foreseen (Ctd.)• the SNV/Rwanda PR person will work out a strategy to

introduce and generate a demand for the technology

by using existing players in the programme, s.a.

(I)NGOs active in the agricultural sector, line

agencies, credit providers and construction

companies;• construction of pilot plants: the beneficiaries, some of

which are lead farmers, have to respond to strict

conditions, including being innovative farmers and

portraying the willingness to promote the technology;

6Rwanda Biogas Promotion

What has been foreseen (Ctd.)

• in both pilot districts, our key partners have farmers’

training centers that will be used to inform potential users:

– an introduction to biogas, its advantages and

disadvantages, to be part of their general farmer’s

trainings;

– ‘Biogas Programme and Technology promotion

workshops’ to inform village leaders, local banks &

cooperatives and particularly extension workers

present in the provinces;

7Rwanda Biogas Promotion

What has been foreseen (Ctd.)

– ‘pre construction user training’ providing further

information on the daily use of the plants and on the

financial requirements and provisions to give the final

push for adoption to potential users who have shown

active interest in biogas;

• the trained farmers will then spread the message to their

neighbours.

8Rwanda Biogas Promotion

Key promotion elements

• The quality of the product: a well functioning

plant is the best possible promotion and a

satisfied user the best promoter for biogas; • adequate farmer support (after sales service),

which consists of repair and maintenance as

well as feedback on operation to the user;• quality control on construction and delivered

services.

9Rwanda Biogas Promotion

Key persuasion elements

• Money saving;• subsidy provision;• time saving.