Guidelines for Sustainability of Biogas Production at Household and Community Level: Case Study of Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the problems, and limitations of biogas production at the household and community levels in Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi Province and propose guidelines for sustainable biogas production both at the community and household levels in this studied area. Data was collected from the target group by a semi-structured interview of 26 interviewees and the secondary data was also studied. The CIPP-I model with 5 aspects and 16 indicators was used to analyze all data. The study found that the sustainability in biogas production at the household and community levels in the studied area lacked continuity of production and utilization of biogas. Many households resumed using liquefied petroleum gas so biogas production system was abandoned. The problems and limitations found were partial participation by the people and the lack of funds to operate continuously. Local authorities, organization executives, and some community leaders in the area still had not emphasized the real support. People in the studied area liked biogas production at the household level rather than at the community level. The utilization of biogas production was not widely spread and no other uses except for household cooking. This study proposed several guidelines for the sustainability in the biogas production at the household and community levels in the studied area.