Toward the Adoption of Anaerobic Digestion Technology through Low-Cost Biodigesters: A Case Study of Non-Centrifugal Cane Sugar Producers in Colombia

Oscar Mendieta,Humberto Escalante,Liliana Castro,Erik Vera,Jader Rodríguez

doi:10.3390/w13182566

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion using low-cost biodigesters (LCB) is a promising alternative for Colombian producers of non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS). Since the integration of anaerobic digestion technology in this agro-industry is novel, it is critical to understand the factors that affect the acceptance behavior of such technology by NCS producers to develop future policies that promote the adoption of sustainable energy alternatives. This study aimed to analyze NCS producers’ behavioral intention to use LCB by utilizing an extended technology acceptance model (TAM). Data from a survey of 182 producers were used to evaluate the proposed model empirically. The extended TAM accounted for 78% of the variance in producers’ behavioral intention to use LCB. Thus, LCB acceptability could be fairly precisely predicted on the basis of producers’ intentions. This study’s findings contribute to research on the TAM and provide a better understanding of the factors influencing NCS producers’ behavioral intention to use LCB. Furthermore, this approach can assist policymakers at the local and global levels, given that NCS is produced in various developing countries worldwide.

Highlights

The traditional production of non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS) from sugarcane is found in many developing countries [1]
The results indicate that an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) model can capture some of the unique contextual characteristics of NCS producers in terms of low-cost biodigesters (LCB) acceptance
The TAM was successfully extended by including three external factors relevant to analyze the acceptance of LCB: perceived self-efficacy, facilitating conditions, and compatibility as antecedents of behavioral intention to use

Summary

Introduction

The traditional production of non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS) from sugarcane is found in many developing countries [1]. The NCS agro-industry has historically faced many challenges related to low agricultural and processing productivity, substandard product quality, and producer organization issues, all of which have hampered entry into new markets. The latter is reflected in the fact that a sizable proportion of producers and workers live in poverty. The sugarcane used in NCS production generates approximately 24.6% of its mass in organic waste, resulting in negative environmental impacts. This agro-industry generates 3.9 million tons of waste per year (according to Colombian production conditions). The issue of finding alternatives to the waste generated by the agro-industry is currently being addressed

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