Challenges and Solutions for Biogas Production from Agriculture Waste in the Aral Sea Basin

Energy plays an essential role in the modern society and can serve as one of the vital parameters of socio-economic development. Despite developments in technology, over three billion persons living in rural parts of the low- and middle-income countries continue to cover their energy needs for cooking through traditional ways by burning biomass resources. This paper as a case study focuses on the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan, possessing a well-developed agricultural production with high livestock numbers and intensive crop production. The manure of the livestock farms is not used efficiently and the energy supply of the farms depends primarily on centrally produced gas and electricity. Some areas are not yet connected to the gas grid. Agriculture causes huge environmental damages in its current form. The benefit of biogas production would therefore be fivefold: (1) local energy source, (2) mitigation of environmental impacts, (3) reducing CH4-emissions, (4) producing organic fertilizer as a side product and (5) additional earnings for farmers.

Automated summary

The Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan, with its well-developed agricultural production and high livestock numbers, faces challenges in efficiently utilizing livestock manure and depending primarily on centrally produced gas and electricity for energy supply. Some areas are still not connected to the gas grid, causing significant environmental damages from agriculture. The benefits of biogas production in this region include serving as a local energy source, mitigating environmental impacts, reducing CH4 emissions, producing organic fertilizer, and providing additional earnings for farmers.