Dreaming of biogas

Xie LuQian ( 61 ) and Yan GanLian ( 50 ) in YONGSHUN in Hunan province in China have a dream.

They are in good physical shape, but feel that they are both old and find farming tiring as all three of their children have moved to the city. They have not yet approached retirement age by western standards, but in China they would both normally be retired long ago if they had a normal job in a city. Xie LuQian (61) has in fact already lived longer than average in the rural population of China. The average life expectancy in the countryside of China is actually under 60 years. So, it is perhaps not surprising that they feel that they are getting old.

"I would really like a biogas tank on the farm," says Xie LuQian and smiles. "It would be very nice to not have to pick twigs and wood any longer. Cooking would be so much easier" said Yan GanLian and wince slightly as she stretches a tired arm.  A biogas tank would save her many hours of work each day she explains.

Yan Gan Lian also thinks that it would be nice to get rid of all the dirt from the two cows in an easy way. It makes the farm much cleaner and hygienic.

This simple construction helps us get rid of  something we do not want (animal and human waste) and turns it into clean energy (for cooking and lighting) and free organic fertilizer of high quality that does not smell. In fact, the agricultural production in this grand country is in fact responsible for more pollution than the industry. Reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture through the use of biogas is therefore a key to improving the environment.

Many women I have spoken to about biogas are particularly excited about the prospect of having a smoke-free kitchen after getting biogas. I ask if this is important to this couple. " No no smoking in the kitchen and need to collect wood? Then I'll be healthy even though I'm old!" says Yan Gan Lian, laughing.

Mr. Xie LuQian ( 61 ) and his wife , Yan GanLian ( 50 ) dream of biogas on the farm.

  

How does the biogas tank work?
Biogas is formed when animal (or human) dung and other compost are inserted into the digester and become methane gas in the tank under the ground. This gas has no smell or smoke and can be used for cooking and lighting fires. When the mixture has released the gas, it comes out as organic fertilizer of high quality. That means Xie LuQian and Yan GanLian not only get gas for cooking and light, but they also receive high quality organic fertilizer that increases their crop yields.

In addition, to increase revenue, reduce costs and free up time for poor farmers, biogas is helping to improve the status of women, improving health and hygiene, as well as protecting the environment.Over the past five years, NMS has made it possible for over 1,000 families in YONGSHUN in Hunan to get biogas on their farms. During this year we want to help to provide biogas for several families including Mr. Xie LuQian ( 61 ) and his wife Yan GanLian . Through the "International Biogas Project" we are able to provide biogas for farmers both in China and Madagascar.

Would you like to fulfil the dreams of Xie LuQian and Yan GanLian?  

Have you planned your vacation this year? Are you traveling by air this year? Then you can buy “Carbon Offset” from NMS while helping Xie LuQian ( 61 ) and his wife Yan GanLian and others in their village to get biogas on the farm and thus reduce poverty, protect the environment and to improve women's health.

If you’re in the UK (or if you have UK bank account), you can support the project here. If can read Norwegian, you can give one-off gift to the project here or support the project regularly here. If you live in another country and would like to support this project, please send us an e-mail and we will let you know the best way.