Green Global
Foundation   Journal
...an emerging window for scientific research and publication across the globe

UTILIZATION PATTERN OF BIOMASS FOR RURAL ENERGY SUPPLY IN BANGLADESH (Pages : 62 - 71)

The study was carried out through interviewing one hundred farmers in eight villages, under muktagachha & Trishal Upazilla of Mymensingh district during June –December, 2006 and September–October, 2007 to assess the availability and utilization pattern of crop biomass and identify the appropriate biomass energy saving technologies in rural areas of Bangladesh. The common biomasses are tree twigs, leaves, firewood, crop residues, jute sticks, rice husk, rice straw, sawdust, cowdung etc. and constitute about 60% of total energy consumption in rural households. The potential biomass availability in the study areas was about 291.47 GJ/yr-household of which the share of field crop biomass was about 229.61 GJ/yr-household. Fewer inputs than do annual row crops, and fast growing plants like Dhaincha, Eucalyptus, Epil-Epil, Bogamedula, etc. might also be cultivated for biomass production. Despite the heavy demand of biomass energy in developing countries, it is utilize so inefficiently that only a small percentage of its useful energy is obtained. The overall efficiency in traditional use was only about 5-15%. Energy saving technologies should be encouraged for efficient use of available biomass in the country. Biogas plants, improved cooking stoves, biomass briquettes were such efficient technologies. These technologies need to be standardized and encouraged for dissemination at rural household levels in Bangladesh. However, many households may need financial support for owning these technologies. The Government along with NGOs and private sector institutions should initiate programmes for extension and dissemination of these technologies. Download