Factors determinant of biogas adoption in Bangladesh

The major attempt of this paper is to examine the factors affecting the biogas technology adoption in rural areas in Bangladesh. The study was conducted by a survey method on respondents. Stratified random and purposive sampling techniques were applied for selecting 150 biogas users and 150 non-users. Data were collected through individual interviews by using structural questionnaire. A qualitative response model (Logistic regression model) was applied for examining the main factors influencing the biogas adoption. As a result, socio-economic factors play an important role in the respondents' behaviors toward biogas adoption. The empirical results indeed highlighted that year of education, income level, number of cattle, and women headed family have significant influences on the decision of biogas plant installation. Subsequently, increasing the level of education, empowering women, enhancing the yearly income and number of cattle are strategies likely to increase the adoption rate of biogas plants. Environmental, economic, social, and technological benefits were considered by the respondents while engaging in the biogas plant adoption. Households are also motivated toward biogas plant installation by Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). A tiny motivation comes from Governmental Organizations (GOs), local government, electronic and print media. Therefore, raising the population awareness on the benefits of biogas plant installation through the existing channels of communication campaigns, provision of financial incentive, participation of print media and active attendances of Government institutions could extend the biogas technology in Bangladesh. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.