Introduction

National Biodigester Programme (NBP) is a joint programme between the Cambodia Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV). The current pilot phase runs from 2005 till December 2009 covering provinces with a very good biodigester potential. If the results are satisfactory, the programme can be extended to all provinces in a second phase.

The overall objective of the first phase of the programme is the dissemination of domestic biodigesters as an indigenous, sustainable energy source through the development of a commercial, market oriented, biodigester sector in selected provinces of Cambodia.  MAFF has nominated the Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) as the advisory and coordinating agency for the programme, the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) provides technical assistance to the programme while the Directorate General International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides financial assistance in the framework of the Asia Biogas Programme.

The specific objectives, contributing to the overall goal of the programme, are as follows:

• To increase the number of family sized, quality biodigesters with 17,500 in selected provinces;
• To ensure the continued operation of all biodigesters installed under the biodigester programme;
• To maximise the benefits of the operated biodigesters, in particular the optimum use of digester effluent;
• Technical and promotional capacity development for further wide scale deployment of biodigester technology in Cambodia;
• To strengthen and facilitate establishment of institutions for the continued and sustained development of the biodigester sector.

The programme has activities in the fields of promotion and marketing, construction, repair and maintenance, quality control, R&D, training, bio-fertiliser extension, monitoring and evaluation.

Promotion and marketing is a task undertaken by individual contractors and mason teams as well as NGO and Provincial Programme Offices. The NBP office undertakes supporting activities like the development and production of posters, brochures, DVDs and the broadcasting of messages in national media.

Construction, annual maintenance and repair is done by individual masons. These masons are only been allowed to operate after the successful completion of a technical training and under strict supervision of the provincial biodigester programme office. The individual mason teams are encouraged for form mason teams and in the long run the aim is that they will develop in registered companies.

Financing of the construction of biodigesters comprises out of a subsidy part and a farmers contribution. Besides lowering the financial threshold for farmers who have the technical potential but little financial means the subsidy serves as an important promotion tool and provides a tool to safeguard quality standards on plant construction and after sales service.
An investment subsidy of US$ 100 is sufficient to attract potential farmers while not being significantly excessive. By providing a fixed sum subsidy for all plant sizes the smaller farmers get percentage wise a higher subsidy on their investment while the administration is simplified.

The subsidy is channelled through the ACLEDA bank, the main rural bank.
The quality of goods and services, pre-construction information, construction, user training and extension, provided to the clients are key to the success of the programme. Quality of construction and after sales service is checked randomly and, if not found as agreed upon, corrective measures are taken. Quality of operation and maintenance is closely monitored as well.

Applied R&D focuses on development and testing of plant and appliances modifications in order to reduce cost and improve reliability and user friendliness. It comprises also activities to solve emerging technical problems of the present design.

As the introduction of fixed dome biodigesters is relatively new to Cambodia, capacity building within all parties involved in the programme is essential. This includes training of masons and provincial programme office staff in construction, maintenance, quality control, management, marketing, etc. Bank and (I)NGO staff will be trained in promotion and extension, users on operation and maintenance.

The main focus of extension is on an optimal use of biodigester effluent as fertiliser. A special section for this purpose is established within the national programme office to determine the possible uses of the effluent in the Cambodian context and how to best reach the farmers with this message. The experiences with effluent use in countries within the region with running biodigester programmes are taken into account and close cooperation with line agencies and agricultural projects is sought on this topic.

In addition to more technical R&D, monitoring and evaluation takes place to study the effects of promotion, training and extension activities.

The programme, although limited in duration, has the larger aim of building institutions needed for the continued and sustained viability of the sector beyond the duration of the programme itself.  Capacity building within existing institutions is therefore an activity of the programme. This implies that as much as possible the above mentioned activities will be conducted by national and provincial governmental organisations, private sector and (I)NGO’s.

 Programme Area

We are currently (From January 2007) working in five provinces, Kandal, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Takeo, and Kampong Speu. Most likely 2 more provinces will be added to this list.