Determinants of Biogas Technology Adoption in Pakistan

Abstract

This survey research based study sought determinants of biogas technology adoption in rural areas of Pakistan. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select respondents because the population was unknown and heterogeneous in nature. Total 240 respondents (150 biogas users and 120 potential users) were selected and face to face interviewed using a structured, validated and pre-tested questionnaire. Along with descriptive analysis of data logistics regression model was applied to investigate the determinants of biogas adoption. Findings affirmed significant role of socio-economic characteristics  of respondents in the adoption of biogas technology. Empirical findings reported a significant impact of education, the income of households and the number of animals on the adoption of biogas technology. This implies that unit increase in education, income and number of animals will escalate the adoption of biogas technology. Tackling energy crisis, economic benefits, and production of slurry for soil fertility, health gains and environment-friendly nature of biogas were perceived reasons of biogas adoption among the biogas users. Non-government organizations and neighbours were leading motivational factors behind adoption as revealed by users. However, role of electronic media, print media and government institutionsin promoting biogas was reported dismal. This study urge that biogas is valuable alternative source of energy to combat energy crisis. In this way, provision of subsidies, interest free loans and technical backstopping could invoke potential users to adopt biogas technology.