Increasing farmers' affordability for anaerobic digester construction in rural area using spatial cluster analysis

Abstract

Spatial cluster analysis is used in this study to group non-biogas farmers since the unaffordability of the individual anaerobic digester (AD) is the main factor in slow biogas development in rural areas. Therefore, this study aims to determine the most reasonable manure biogas management in Argosari Village, Malang Regency, East Java Province. There are 234 farmers raising 596 cows and 44 farmer households who have been using manure waste as feedstock for AD. The biogas generated is mainly used for cooking. Before clustering, the individual affordability for the farmer is measured, while the group's affordability was estimated afterward under two conditions. The first condition is based on cow ownership, and the second is based on the AD capacity. GIS techniques were used to determine the cluster size and location. Cluster size is characterized by the number of households and the spatial proximity of the cluster members. Cluster location indicates the prospective AD location as it meets the maximum distance between the house and the AD. Before clustering, almost 100% of farmers cannot afford the AD since the individual cost burden is relative high. Clustering decreases the cost burden and increases the affordability consequently with two different percentages. AD size-based biogas management increases farmer's affordability more effectively than cow ownership-based biogas management does. The 4m3 and 6m3 AD are appropriate for the cluster, since most AD construction cost is supported by the local government. However, not all of the manure waste can be used as feedstock, allowing environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the cow ownership-based measurement increases the affordability but only for some farmers.