IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i10p2636-d1659924.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Diagnosis of Socio-Economic Prospects and Constraints for Household Biogas Adoption: A Case of Lizulu Market in Ntcheu District of Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Admore Samuel Chiumia

    (School of Business and Economic Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Private Bag 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi)

  • Betchani Tchereni

    (School of Business and Economic Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Private Bag 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi)

  • Hope Baxter Chamdimba

    (Energy Resources Management Department, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

  • Benjamin L. Robinson

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Mike Clifford

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

Abstract

Biogas is once again emerging as a potential household cooking option that can help developing countries achieve energy targets. However, the adoption of biogas remains relatively slow, necessitating a diagnosis of the problem the review of literature identified. The review identified key factors influencing the adoption of household biogas technology, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, public awareness, and socio-economic factors. Therefore, this study involved undertaking a survey where heads of 385 households were interviewed. The study found that low income of households, averaging USD 67/month, is a major constraint to biogas adoption, especially when dirty fuels cost little or nothing. In addition, a lack of awareness of the benefits of biogas over the available dirty fuels has the potential to limit its adoption. This explains why 99% of the households interviewed indicated firewood and charcoal were their first option, and 52% believed that these dirty fuels were dependable. Regardless of these bottlenecks, the study found that households are ready to try better cooking options. About 99% of households were interested in using biogas, and 94% wanted to learn more about biogas. Therefore, there is a need for increased awareness, and suppliers must adopt innovations that make biogas more accessible and competitive against traditional cooking fuels.

Suggested Citation

  • Admore Samuel Chiumia & Betchani Tchereni & Hope Baxter Chamdimba & Benjamin L. Robinson & Mike Clifford, 2025. "Diagnosis of Socio-Economic Prospects and Constraints for Household Biogas Adoption: A Case of Lizulu Market in Ntcheu District of Malawi," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2636-:d:1659924
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2636/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2636/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Regina Kulugomba & Harold W. T. Mapoma & Gregory Gamula & Richard Blanchard & Stanley Mlatho, 2024. "Opportunities and Barriers to Biogas Adoption in Malawi," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Francis Kemausuor & Muyiwa S. Adaramola & John Morken, 2018. "A Review of Commercial Biogas Systems and Lessons for Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Phiona Jackline Mukisa & Chama Theodore Ketuama & Hynek Roubík, 2022. "Biogas in Uganda and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Fuel Analysis of Biogas and Firewood," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-10, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Obianuju Patience Ilo & Mulala Danny Simatele & S’phumelele Lucky Nkomo & Ntandoyenkosi Malusi Mkhize & Nagendra Gopinath Prabhu, 2021. "Methodological Approaches to Optimising Anaerobic Digestion of Water Hyacinth for Energy Efficiency in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Alberto Benato & Chiara D’Alpaos & Alarico Macor, 2022. "Possible Ways of Extending the Biogas Plants Lifespan after the Feed-In Tariff Expiration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Tavera-Ruiz, C. & Martí-Herrero, J. & Mendieta, O. & Jaimes-Estévez, J. & Gauthier-Maradei, P. & Azimov, U. & Escalante, H. & Castro, L., 2023. "Current understanding and perspectives on anaerobic digestion in developing countries: Colombia case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Nii Nelson & Jo Darkwa & John Calautit & Mark Worall & Robert Mokaya & Eunice Adjei & Francis Kemausuor & Julius Ahiekpor, 2021. "Potential of Bioenergy in Rural Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Lisandra Rocha-Meneses & Oghenetejiri Frances Otor & Nemailla Bonturi & Kaja Orupõld & Timo Kikas, 2019. "Bioenergy Yields from Sequential Bioethanol and Biomethane Production: An Optimized Process Flow," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, December.
    6. Zahida Aslam & Hu Li & James Hammerton & Gordon Andrews & Andrew Ross & Jon C. Lovett, 2021. "Increasing Access to Electricity: An Assessment of the Energy and Power Generation Potential from Biomass Waste Residues in Tanzania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-22, March.
    7. Kimball C. Chen & Matthew Leach & Mairi J. Black & Meron Tesfamichael & Francis Kemausuor & Patrick Littlewood & Terry Marker & Onesmus Mwabonje & Yacob Mulugetta & Richard J. Murphy & Rocio Diaz-Chav, 2021. "BioLPG for Clean Cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Present and Future Feasibility of Technologies, Feedstocks, Enabling Conditions and Financing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    8. Christopher Schmid & Thomas Horschig & Alexandra Pfeiffer & Nora Szarka & Daniela Thrän, 2019. "Biogas Upgrading: A Review of National Biomethane Strategies and Support Policies in Selected Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-24, October.
    9. Eggemann, Lea & Rau, Florian & Stolten, Detlef, 2023. "The ecological potential of manure utilisation in small-scale biogas plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    10. Regina Kulugomba & Harold W. T. Mapoma & Gregory Gamula & Stanley Mlatho & Richard Blanchard, 2025. "Understanding People’s Intentions Towards the Adoption of Biogas Technology: Applying the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
    11. Chipo Shonhiwa & Yolanda Mapantsela & Golden Makaka & Patrick Mukumba & Ngwarai Shambira, 2023. "Biogas Valorisation to Biomethane for Commercialisation in South Africa: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-20, July.
    12. Stephen Tangwe & Patrick Mukumba & Golden Makaka, 2022. "Design and Employing of a Non-Linear Response Surface Model to Predict the Microbial Loads in Anaerobic Digestion of Cow Manure: Batch Balloon Digester," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-25, October.
    13. Aridi, R. & Yehya, A., 2024. "Anaerobic biodigesters heating sources: Analysis and recommendations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    14. Susanne Theuerl & Christiane Herrmann & Monika Heiermann & Philipp Grundmann & Niels Landwehr & Ulrich Kreidenweis & Annette Prochnow, 2019. "The Future Agricultural Biogas Plant in Germany: A Vision," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-32, January.
    15. Kamila Klimek & Magdalena Kapłan & Serhiy Syrotyuk & Nikolay Bakach & Nikolay Kapustin & Ryszard Konieczny & Jakub Dobrzyński & Kinga Borek & Dorota Anders & Barbara Dybek & Agnieszka Karwacka & Grzeg, 2021. "Investment Model of Agricultural Biogas Plants for Individual Farms in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-30, November.
    16. Krzysztof Zamasz & Radosław Kapłan & Przemysław Kaszyński & Piotr W. Saługa, 2020. "An Analysis of Support Mechanisms for New CHPs: The Case of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-18, October.
    17. Lei Zheng & Jingang Chen & Mingyue Zhao & Shikun Cheng & Li-Pang Wang & Heinz-Peter Mang & Zifu Li, 2020. "What Could China Give to and Take from Other Countries in Terms of the Development of the Biogas Industry?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
    18. Mairi J. Black & Amitava Roy & Edson Twinomunuji & Francis Kemausuor & Richard Oduro & Matthew Leach & Jhuma Sadhukhan & Richard Murphy, 2021. "Bottled Biogas—An Opportunity for Clean Cooking in Ghana and Uganda," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-14, June.
    19. Batara Surya & Andi Muhibuddin & Seri Suriani & Emil Salim Rasyidi & Baharuddin Baharuddin & Andi Tenri Fitriyah & Herminawaty Abubakar, 2021. "Economic Evaluation, Use of Renewable Energy, and Sustainable Urban Development Mamminasata Metropolitan, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-45, January.
    20. Rufis Fregue Tiegam Tagne & Xiaobin Dong & Solomon G. Anagho & Serena Kaiser & Sergio Ulgiati, 2021. "Technologies, challenges and perspectives of biogas production within an agricultural context. The case of China and Africa," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14799-14826, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2636-:d:1659924. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.