The Social Cultural Factors Influencing the Level of Adoption of Biogas as an Alternative Energy Source in Gakawa Location, Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the socio-cultural factors influencing the adoption of biogas as an alternative energy source among the small scale farmers in Gakawa location, Nyeri County. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive research design in order to emphasize the measurement and analysis of relationships between study variables, and to systematically describe the Social cultural factors influencing the Level of adoption of biogas as an alternative energy source in Gakawa Location, Nyeri County, Kenya. Multi stage sampling was used to sample 351 households not involved in the Biogas Technology Project (BGTP) and 71 households involved in the BGTP. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of both open ended and close ended questions. Also key informants such as the agricultural extension officers, heads of local cooperative dairy society and NGOs coordinators were interviewed to augment the results of the household respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and results presented in frequency tables, while qualitative data was analysed by categorizing similar themes from the respondents and using them to augment the quantitative data. Results: This study has shown that socio-cultural factors can influence the uptake of biogas as an alternative energy source. For instance, households with higher levels of education were found to easily adopt biogas technology. Elderly people were more established and had fixed residence compared to younger people and thus were able to invest in expensive and permanent non-transferable projects like biogas technology. Female headed households tend to adopt the biogas technology as compared to their male counterparts. Finally, the results indicate that substitution of traditional sources of cooking, to more efficient household energy for the households, particularly in developing countries has not been adequately achieved. Conclusion: It is concluded that for the uptake of the biogas technology to be effective, social cultural factors of communities must be taken into account. Also there is need for more studies in developing countries that will generate more policies to help households to embrace more efficient technology.