Correlating the factors influencing household decisions on adoption and utilisation of biogas technology in South Africa

Abstract

Biogas can be used for domestic purposes, such as cooking and heating, and can also be converted into electricity. Biogas technology is of particular significance in rural households, where energy crisis thrives. The correlating factors influencing decisions in the sustainable adoption and utilisation of biogas technology in Limpopo Province of South Africa are examined in this article. In this study, the sampled households involved 72 biogas users and 128 non-users. The sampling techniques were purposive and simple random. The study was based on primary data that were elicited using open and closed-ended questionnaires. The logistic regression model was employed for data analysis. Empirically, the result indicated that household head level of education, age of household head, number of cattle owned, distance to fuelwood source, crop production, credits, loans and subsidies, income, gender water availability and awareness were factors that have statistical significance (p < 0.01). Significant (p < 0.05) household size, technical availability and distance to fuelwood source thus positively influence the adoption and utilisation of biogas technology. Results from the study also reveals that technical evaluation against other cooking devices, efficiency, environmental aspects, human drudgery and potential to provide employment and behavioural evaluations were other factors found to influence the uptake and utilisation of the technology. The study recommends changes in government approach, technical availability, training, redesigning of cooking stoves and better promotion and awareness programmes.