Understanding the role of socio-economic, demographic, environmental, infrastructural, and institutional attributes in the uptake of biogas technology in Pakistan: Proposing and implementing a novel step-wise framework

The extant literature considers the uptake of biogas technology as a remedy to mitigate the energy deficiency in rural areas; however, most of these considerations are based on either techno-economic or willingness-to-pay analyses for renewable energy at an arbitrarily chosen site, ignoring several important things that are necessary to consider in the first place. Other issues include linking the success of biogas projects with government subsidies, which is unlikely in most cases as energy-deprived countries are also facing economic problems. Thus, this study first proposes and then implements a framework that indicates the importance of (i) observing demographic, socio-economic, institutional, environmental, and infrastructural factors at household levels and (ii) site selection criteria for the successful enactment of biogas technology in rural communities. In doing so, we collected data from 469 households across three distinct regions of Pakistan—Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas—that met our selection criteria. By employing the probit model, we first pinpoint the determinants for biogas adoption decisions, followed by factors influencing the likelihood of households' willingness (decision) to adopt (discontinue) biogas technology. Socio-economic and infrastructural (demographic and institutional) attributes are the most (least) promising factors influencing biogas technology adoption. Based on the treatment effect and discussions with the participants, we find that households aware of the benefits associated with biogas technology in mitigating energy needs and improving socio-economic conditions are more willing to adopt it. From the policy standpoint, we suggest implementing a biogas promotion program by providing technical assistance to households and integrating it with sugar mills (for bagasse), irrigation and horticulture offices (for crop residuals and water), and municipal committee offices (for waste management); it possibly will help in accelerating the uptake and sustainability of biogas energy sector in Pakistan without relying on subsidies or credit facilities.