Cooking and lighting from JANEEMO biogas

The JANEEMO Biogas digester prototype is now being demonstrated and tested in Blantyre before being further adapted and transported to Nyanggu Village in Chikwawa for further testing. The biodigester has been constructed by Jonah Chimusoro of Entech. The key materials are two plastic water tanks, one which can fit into the other and some plastic piping. The tank on the bottom was filled with cow manure at the beginning of the week and by the end of the week there was enough gas to cook on an adapted stove direct from the digester. The digester can continue to produce gas if topped up with organic matter every  
day. In lower shire the biodigester will be filled with Neem and Moringa leaves as a source of organic matter. It is estimated that one biodigester will be able to cater for up to five households for basic energy needs of cooking and lighting. Further adaptions are being made by Jonah to make pressurisation of the tank user friendly. The concept will be introduced to JANEEMO farmers and local government officials and stakeholders at the janeemo festival on July 23rd, 2009. Meanwhile the JANEEMO team is exploring the possibility of replicating the JANEEMO concept with biodigesters in high density areas of Blantyre.