BASELINE STUDY ON STATUS OF BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGY IN KAJIADO AND KISII REGIONS

Transcription

1 BASELINE STUDY ON STATUS OF BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGY IN KAJIADO AND KISII REGIONS 1 Musembi F.J., T. Nandokha 1, P. Njeru 1, G. N. Mbure 1, S. Matere 1 and R. Emongor 2 1 KARI Muguga South, P.O Box , Nairobi, Tel: KARI Headquarters, P.O. Box , Nairobi Abstract Biofuels are a source of energy from recently lifeless materials and occur in gaseous, liquid and solid state. The recent fuel crisis of 2008 brought attention to this alternative source of energy. Biofuel technology in Kenya can be traced to the 1950s but its adoption is in question. This study sought to establish the status of biofuel technology, production, processing and utilization in Kajiado and Kisii regions. Key informant interviews, household and institutional surveys were used to capture data on biofuels and related technologies. Frequencies of the collected data were calculated to show the extent of biofuel production, processing and utilization. The results showed that firewood and charcoal were widely used. Usage of biogas was limited and liquid biofuels were at a nascent stage. There was high dependence on natural forests and limited energy saving technological utilization in Kajiado region which has implications on the sustainability of bioenergy. High population density in Kisii forced farmers to use improved energy saving devices, planting of trees for fuel and adoption of biogas technology. Most institutions that were surveyed such as schools, hospitals and restaurants, depended on fuel wood from the local supply with no effort to produce their own. This has future implications on the environment and sustainability despite the fact they used energy saving jikos. Farmers are willing to grow crops for energy but this should be guided through sound principles of science and enabling policy environment. The biofuel industry if developed has the potential of improving livelihoods and to conserve the environment through proper harvesting of resources for energy. All stakeholders need to play an active role in supporting the Ministry of Energy to come up with sound practices for the biofuel industry. Introduction Biofuels, in the form of firewood, have been used in Kenya as far back as the existence of man. The rate at which wood fuel was obtained from forests has caused alarm since the 1970 s due to lack of sufficient information that would lead to sustainability planning of forest resources (Kassum, 1976). In the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), records of research show that attempts to do research on biogas, another form of biofuel, can be traced back to the 1970s (Kahumbura et al, 1981). The development and use of biofuels in Kenya, according to the Energy Act passed in 2006 has been vested in Minister of Energy (Energy Act, 2006). Agriculture can play a supportive role to meet demands from the energy sector by transforming itself through agricultural product value chain to improve livelihoods. For example, firewood from agro-forestry trees has been used for centuries by women but this has been linked to respiratory diseases in mothers and children (Muok, 2009). The introduction of clean burning ethanol stoves can greatly improve the health of farmers if they adopt the technology (Muok, 2009). The high petroleum prices experienced in 2008 demonstrated the vulnerability of Kenya on fossil fuel dependency. Biofuels have been suggested as alternative energy sources because they are available in gaseous, liquid and solid state hence with few modifications to modern equipment they can quickly be adapted for use. Kenya needs an alternative source of energy to avert any instability in the event of a major fuel crisis. Fuel crisis could be a source of instability in vital areas of the economy. For example energy insecurity can lead to food crisis when transportation of food between rural and urban areas is disrupted by lack of fuel. Another example is that the growth of raw materials for biofuel production requires land hence food production can be jeopardized unless a clear land policy is in place. Different stakeholders ranging from government ministries such as energy, agriculture and livestock, to non governmental agencies such as Kenya Energy Organization (KENGO), Green Africa Foundation and Vanilla Development Foundation and development partners such as German Technical Cooperation have contributed to the biofuel agenda in Kenya over the years. The need to establish the level of biofuel technology in Kenya is critical because this result will greatly influence the development of the industry within the country. For example the Jua Kali industry can be used to produce lamps and stoves that will run on biofuels and in the process contribute to the national economy through job creation and income generation. 1063

2 In view of the fact that biofuel technology has been in existence in Kenya, a proposal Assessing the Current Status of Biofuel Production, Processing and Utilization in Kenya was presented to the National Council of Science and Technology in Due to limited resources, one highly populated region, Kisii, and another low densely populated region, Kajiado, were recommended for this study (Nandokha et al, 2009). This project sought to document among other objectives the extent of biofuel technology, constraints in its application and the types of biofuels produced, processed and utilized within the Kisii and Kajiado regions. This paper presents analyses of captured data on the extent of biofuel technology, constraints in its application and the types of biofuels produced, processed and utilized within the Kisii and Kajiado regions. KARI s strategic plan recognizes the major role science, technology and innovations have played in Kenya s economic development (KARI, 2009) and since Vision 2030 recognizes energy as one of the pillars for development, KARI must show its contributions towards this important sector since land resources are required for food and biofuel production. Methodology A stakeholders consultative meeting was held to share the proposed research. Two regions were proposed by the stakeholders as appropriate sites for the work. The larger Kajiado and Kisii regions were selected based on the population density. Key informants interviews were then conducted in the selected regions. The key informants included staff from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Energy, forestry department and NGOs. A checklist was used to solicit information on types of biofuel produced, processed and utilized, and constraints faced in the value chain. On basis of information gathered, Namanga, Isinya, and Ngong divisions of the larger Kajiado District and Kisii Central district were selected for detailed household and institutions survey. After an informal discussion of the research objectives with the Agricultural extension staff, farmer based common interest groups (CIGs) were randomly selected. A simple random technique was used to select farmers to be interviewed within the CIGs. Farmers in Ngong division and Kisii Central district were purposively selected for the production and utilization of biogas because key informant interviews indicated that the adoption of biogas technology was very low (Matere et al, 2009 and Njeru et al, 2009). A total of 183 smallholder farming households and 40 institutions were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The survey of institutions was conducted using a separate semi-structured interview schedule. The sample of institutions comprised of boarding schools (both primary and secondary), colleges, health institutions, church based institutions, slaughter houses and industrial establishments. Both data sets (households and institutions) were coded and analyzed separately using Excel computer package. Excel was used to calculate the frequencies to show the extent of biofuel production, processing and utilization in the target areas. Results Results from household survey The factors influencing the choice of the fuel used by the households in the two regions are summarized in Table 1. Availability scored the highest (89%) as the reason for fuel choice amongst the respondents while speed and convenience stood at 51%. Only 17% of the respondents cited income and 10% of cost as factors that influenced fuel choice. Table 1: Factors influencing choice of fuel used by households Factors influencing choice of fuel Percent (n=171) Availability (exclusive of other reasons) 28 Availability (inclusive of other reasons) 89 Speed and convenience (inclusive of other reasons) 51 Income (inclusive of other reasons) 17 Cost (inclusive of other reasons) 10 Results in Table 2 shows that 94% of the respondents used firewood while 58% used charcoal. This shows a heavy reliance on wood fuel. Table 2: Percentage of firewood and charcoal energy usage in households (n=105) (n=33) (n=29) (n=167) % % % % Firewood energy

3 charcoal energy Respondents in Kajiado Central and North with an average percent of about 76 % across the two districts used the traditional three stones as reported in Table 3. In Kisii about 43% of the respondents used firewood saving jikos. Table 3: Type of jikos used with firewood (n=102) (n=32) (n=27) Type of jikos % % % % Traditional three stones Firewood saving jikos 43 10? 28 Both traditional three stones and firewood saving jikos (n=162) The use of biogas in all the three districts was low with only about 2% of the respondents using it (Table 4). One farmer in Kisii indicated that ability to generate biogas in her farm reduced the stress of searching for firewood and charcoal though the initial cost of installation was high. Table 4: Biogas use at household level across the three districts (n=108) (n=36) (n=30) (n=174) Use of biogas % % % % Cooking and Warming?? Cooking and lighting 0.9? Type of lamps normal gas cooker 0.9? 0.6 ordinary gas stoves?? similar to pressure lamp?? Type of stoves modified type of pressure lamp 0.9?? 0.6 modern free standing gas?? normal gas cooker/burner 0.9? Liquid biofuels were only traced in Kajiado Central where approximately 2.5% of the respondents indicated that they grew sunflower and Jatropha for energy purposes (Table 5). Table 5: Type of crop grown for liquid biofuel (n=108) (n=36) (n=30) (n=174) Type of crop % % % % Jatropha curcas L 2.4? 0.6 sunflower Results from institutional survey The results shown in Table 6 indicate that 73% of the institutions interviewed were schools, out of which boarding schools were the majority while others had lunch programmes. Hospitals, institutional farms, churches, hotels and restaurants were also interviewed, GIS locations and photographs taken. Table 6: Type of institutes surveyed Institute type % % % % School Hospital (n=40) 1065

4 Hotel/Restaurant 10 10? 5 Church 2 Factory 5 5? 5 Institutional Farms??? 5 Children s home?? 11 4 From results shown in Table 7 most institutions were using firewood but only 21% grew trees for their own consumption. Twenty one percent did not give a response about their source of fuel wood but the remaining 58% got their firewood from the local market or contracted suppliers. Table 7: Sources of fuel wood for institutional use (n=9) (n=39) Sources of firewood fuel % % % % No response Farm Local market Local suppliers Another form of solid biofuel widely used in institutions was charcoal; 55% of respondents did not respond on where they sourced their charcoal because of a ban that was in force at the time of the survey. The highest none response occurred in Kisii Central at 65% as in Table 8. Table 8: Sources of charcoal fuel for institutional use (n=40) Source of charcoal fuel % % % % No response local market Discussion From Table 1 most of the respondents use firewood since it is easily available (Table 2). This raises issues of sustainable management of forest resources to meet this demand. In Kajiado the high use of firewood depends wholly on naturally grown trees with no effort of planting. In Kisii farmers depend on planted trees for their firewood. However trees planted on boundaries exploited nutrients from neighbouring farms so both farmers had claims on the trees and that led to conflict. As a result, some farmers adopted biogas units for peaceful coexistence. Although the firewood saving jiko was introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture in Kajiado district, the mode of utilizing firewood has shown little progress in this area with an average of about 76 % still using the traditional three stones jiko. This could be as a result of the role of fire in the Masaai community where the fireplace was strategically put in the middle of the house to provide warmth, according to a key informant (Matere et al, 2009). Technology adoption for firewood saving jikos was highest in Kisii with about 43% of the respondents using them. This could be as a result of pressure on land due to high population that resulted in reduced resources for fuel production. In order to maximize on the limited fuel wood farmers have adopted firewood saving jiko. Institutions mostly used firewood which was sourced from the local markets and suppliers. The sustainability of wood fuel supply for institutional demand is questionable since they were not planting trees. Few of the surveyed institutions had their own woodlots. The low use of biogas (about 2%) in all the three districts could be attributed to the high cost of installation of the biogas unit. The one at the slaughter house in Kiserian had collapsed due to technological defects. In 1066

5 Kajiado Central, a group of young farmers grew crops, sunflowers and trees (Jatropha curcas L) for liquid biofuel production. They obtained planting materials from African Medical Relief Foundation and Ministry of Agriculture. This group represents the entrepreneurial spirit that needs to be guided by scientific facts to ensure the successful establishment of a biofuel industry. For example, sweet sorghum can be grown in the bimodal rain-fed areas of Kenya to provide food in one season and bioethanol in another for energy production. Conclusion The practice by young farmers of planting crops and trees for biofuels shows that farmers are willing to invest in new forms of agriculture. The challenge would be to provide them with planting materials, pest and weed control measures and farm machinery for increased production to meet market demands. Processing and utilization technologies for biofuels will catapult the industry into a major agro-based enterprise since energy is required for many sectors of the economy (Vision 2030). In the larger Kajiado district there is a potential for energy crisis and environmental degradation due to the dependence on natural forests for firewood and lack of adoption of firewood saving jikos. This calls for designs that provide heat and save firewood simultaneously. The high population density in Kisii shows an environment where energy sources are constrained which favours technological adoption. As a result of this scientists should come up with innovations to address biofuel production, processing and utilization. In areas with low populations plans for energy do not exist but this can translate to a national energy crisis due to lack of sustainable practices. There is need for institutions with land to plant their own sources of energy rather than depending on local supply which may not be sustainable. Recommendations There is serious need to plan for solid, liquid and gaseous forms of biofuels. Planning for biofuels will alleviate potential conflicts. The Ministry of Energy currently takes the lead in the development of biofuel technology in Kenya. Other sector ministries like Agriculture, Livestock, Natural Resources, Industrialization and Arid and Semi Arid lands should play an active role in supporting the Ministry of Energy through the National Biofuel Committee since materials required for biofuel production are under their custody and supervision. KARI in collaboration with other stakeholders needs to develop the full value chain of biofuels to improve livelihoods in Kajiado and Kisii regions. This will involve training and demonstrating on all forms of biofuels. There is need for research to design cheaper tools, equipments and machinery for use in biofuel technology for wider adoption. Institutions with their own land should plant their trees and generate biogas from waste to minimize dependence on fast depleting local supply of trees. Acknowledgement Tha authors are grateful to NCST, Director KARI, AD Socio-Economics & Applied Statistics Programme KARI and Center Director ARC Muguga South. References Government of Kenya ( 2006) Vision Kahumbura J., Mutua J. and Mugunu D. (1981) Renewable Energy for Small Scale Farmers and Rural Households. Annual Reports Kenya Agricultural research Institute, PO Box 30148, Nairobi Kassum, Al Noor (1976) Minister of Finance and Administration, East African Community, Opening address to the 12 th Annual Symposium of the East African Academy on Energy Resources in East Africa held in Nairobi Matere S, Musembi F., Nandokha T., Mbure G., Njeru P., and Emongor R. (2009) Kajiado Report on The Current Status of Biofuel Production, Processing and Utilization. Muok B, (2009). Liquid biofuels in Kenya. Proceedings of the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting Held on 15 th October 2009 at KARI Muguga South Nandokha T., Mbure G., Njeru P., Musembi F., Emongor R., Matere S, Riung T.C. and Kariuki I.W.(Eds) (2009). Proceedings of the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting Held on 15 th October 2009 at KARI Muguga South. Njeru P., Musembi F.and Nandokha T. (2009) Kisii Central Report on The Current Status of Biofuel Production, Processing and Utilization 1067