The biogas plants are environment-friendly and are expected to benefit a large number of rural communities in Tanzania. As part of the Tanzania Domestic Biogas Project (TDBP), aimed at benefiting rural communities in the country, these biogas plants will be designed, built and installed in various parts of Tanzania.

Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV)’s Martijn Veen said Tanzania and Norway have provided a total of US$140mn, while SNV supported the project with US$247mn. The project will be implemented through TDBP, while rural technology will be managed by Hivos, a Netherlands-based organisation.

Tanga regional commissioner Mwamtumu Mahiza said the development of biogas technology, if managed properly and effectively, could have a radical improvement on the economic lives of rural inhabitants.

Rural communities in the area could buy the plant at US$110 through a facilitated discount as opposed to the market price, which is 20 per cent higher.

Additionally, the Dutch Development Cooperation and the Tanga Dairy Cooperative Union are also promoting a Biogas Credit Revolving Fund (BCRF) with US$108,826 capital. The fund will offer soft loans for dairy farmers in the region to acquire biogas plants.

Source : africanreview.com