The importance of using of bio-digester
“As a part of its contribution to climate change and disaster risk reduction, the Integrated Community Development (ICD) programme in Ratanakiri province is focusing more on building the capacity of communities on climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR) concepts and analysing HVC (Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity). The construction of a bio-digester is an example of one of the projects which will play an important role in improving the quality of life for households (particularly women) through reducing indoor air pollution and easing daily workloads. This tool is also likely to minimise logging as it can be used in integrated farming systems.”
Mrs. Nou Keolorn said, “The bio-digester is very important for my family because it can help me decrease costs for buying firewood, charcoal, oil and battery for lighting at night. Furthermore, it helps to improve environmental sanitation around the household since the attachment of our household toilet into the bio-digester eliminates smells from animal manure. It can also reduce smoke borne diseases like dizziness, headache and eye-burning and reduce workload for women in areas such as cooking, cleaning the kitchen and going to forest to find firewood. It can also improve and increase the soil fertility and contribute to minimising logging and reducing climate change.”
Mrs. Nou Keolorn, aged 41, lives in Lumphat village, Chey O’dom commune, Lumphat commune, Ratanakiri province. She is one of the beneficiaries that is supported by the Integrated Community Development programme in Ratanakiri province (ICD-RTK) of DPA.
According to Mrs. Keolorn, the people who can make bio-digesters are required to the ability to collect at least 20 kilogram of animal excrement per day. This means they need to have their own animals (such as two or three cows/buffalos or six or seven pigs). For initial feeding, the users need to feed 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms cattle excrement or pig manure into the bio-digester and to make the gas strong, and they need to keep it from seven to ten days. Otherwise, the mix of excrement that pass out from the digester, can use as natural fertilizer with high quality for rice planting, fruitable crop and vegetables especially it can help to increased the soil fertility and use as the food for fish. Additionally, the gas that getting from this bio-digester can use for cooking and lighting at night.
“Now, my house has light and my children can study at night. Furthermore, I do not have to spend hours to go to the forest to look for firewood for cooking and my kitchen is much cleaner.” said Mrs. Nou Keolorn.