The International Biogas Project: China & Madagascar

In June 2011, 13 project leaders from Madagascar visited China to study NMS Biogas projects and meet the leaders in Amity Foundation. On this trip, Amity discussed closely with Malagasy friends and partners in Hunan Province about future management of the project as well as the technical details of biogas construction.

Because of the very different contexts of the two countries (China &Madagascar) Amity staff learnt a great deal from the interactive workshops and discussions during the visit of the Malagasi visitors. Amity`s local partners also learnt a great deal from the perspectives of the Chinese visitors, and despite obvious language challenges, friendships were made. After the Leader trip in June, but before the July assessment trip to Madagascar, Amity consultant Chris GongSheng went to Yongshun County and Baojing County (the two areas the leaders visited) and held meetings with the Overseas Friendship Association of both counties to evaluate the June trip and share experiences.

From July the 20^th to August the 16^th, Amity consultant Chris GongSheng and Mr. Chen JiaHai, Director of Biogas Association of YongShun County (In HuNan Province) travelled to Madagascar. Their purposes of going there was as follows:

I.                   To make a biogas survey:

Chris GongSheng and Mr. Chen JiaHai did field visit to many household that already did have biogas systems and tried to come out better solution to make improvements. They also did several family interviews and attended meetings with local government officials to get an understanding of local attitudes to biogas. They found that biogas is perceived to be urgently needed in Madagascar because the environment is deteriorating and people cannot access alternative clean renewable energy. They are forced to cut trees to improve family incomes.

II.                To help local technicians build a steel mould and a wooden mould;

Amity worked closely with the Tombotsoa School, an agricultural school in Madagascar to build respectively a steel mould and a wooden mould. A total of 32 people from different programs of FLM were involved in the construction process. It finally took five days to finish the steel mould and four days to make the wooden one.

Proud makers of the steel moul- Yes! Together we can do it!

III.             To provide technical training for local technicians about mould training;

The steel mould made in Madagascar this year.

Under the support of FLM, Chris GongSheng and Mr. Chen Jiahai did a series of training programs for 32 local technicians that will be further trained next year. Mr. Chen JiaHai spread the knowledge of mould construction by drawing design and giving good examples. He was very impressed by the keen interest and understanding of the Malagasi participants. The evaluation showed that most participants understood the training contents very well. If you would like to read about this project in Norwegian, take a look here or here.

Merry Christmas, all readers!