The ADB supported the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Working Group in Agriculture (WGA) for implementation of the “Capacity Building for Efficient Utilization of Biomass for Bioenergy and Food Security in the GMS [TA7833]” project in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam through their respective ministries of agriculture (including Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Cambodia) as Implementing Agencies.
Landell Mills Ltd provided technical assistance to the Implementing Agencies for this regional project which aimed to improve utilization of biomass for bioenergy and food security in the GMS. The Impact by 2020 is for a 5% increase in production of clean bioenergy from biomass (2011 baseline: 0.1%) and a 5% increase in use of by-products of bioenergy systems (bio-slurry and biochar) (2011 baseline: 0%).
The expected Outcome of efficiently operating pilot projects in biomass use, has largely been achieved. All pilot projects are completed and have been assessed and used as a basis for preparing proposals for future investment modalities (to be funded through a future ADB loan or other potential investors). Early discussions with the government and ADB however resulted in the project dropping research into investment modalities for certified biofuel. Pilots, for which investment modalities have been prepared, cover the following:
Biogas and bioslurry (OVI – two in Cambodia and Lao PDR; Pilot Projects – two in Laos PDR and Vietnam) Biochar (OVI – three in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam; Pilot Projects - three in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam) Improved cookstoves (OVI – two in Lao PDR and Vietnam; Pilot Projects – three in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) Organic crops (OVI – three in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam; Pilot Projects – four in Cambodia, Laos PDR and Vietnam)
This was achieved through several Outputs:
Enhanced regional cooperation in bioenergy development to foster and safeguard food security: Standards were drafted for organic agriculture and organic rice (Lao PDR and Cambodia), two biofertilizers in Lao PDR, and three biodigester standards in Cambodia. Lao PDR standards were completed whilst the Cambodian standards remain within the technical review process. Carbon pathways were examined through life cycle analysis work in all three countries.
Pilot-tested climate-friendly, gender-respoonsive biomass investment projects: Initial candidate technologies included, but were not limited to: biogas and bioslurry; improved cook stoves; biochar production and application, and; climate friendly agriculture value chains. Feasibility studies were completed for priority topics and used to define pilot projects based on technologies successfully tested on a smaller scale. In addition, business model case studies were completed for successful projects as a means of identifying potential upscaling modalities. The pilot projects were used to define future investment options for upscaling in terms of technologies and business modalities, where deemed feasible and viable. As such the envisaged program implemented investment models for (i) upscaling of ICS using output based payment and incentives through Women’s Unions and Farmer Groups, (ii) commune or village enterprises for the production and sale of compost and biofertilizers only. Biochar and bioslurry pilots were modified into demonstrations often linked to the use of biofertilizers that consist of biomass and bioslurry – these were then tested and demonstrated in farmer fields along with comparative plots using farmer practice and NPK fertilizers. Technology and knowledge sharing events were held resulting in TULD kilns technology being transferred between Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam, a regional study tour and workshop on biochar and biofertilizers, whilst the importation of advanced kiln technology into the Soil Conservation Center of DALAM in Lao PDR was used to test the quality and cost of production of biochar commercially. Biogas technology was only demonstrated in Lao PDR through the importation of two piece digesters from Viet Nam.
Enhanced capacity for efficient use of biomass: Gender-sensitive capacity-building was provided to participating central and local governments, service providers, communities and women’s groups with nearly 50% of training participants being female. In total, the training delivered reached in excess of 5000 recipients of which 49% were female – see training program output tables in each country report and in the final report. These training figures do not however include the technical support and mentoring that was provide to build capability during implementation. For example the technical support provided in Lao PDR during the pilot implementation total nearly 1100 man days on inputs to address issues ranging from the use of biochar, making biofertilisers, compost making to small business development, planning of extensions services etc. Similar level of input were provided in Cambodia and to a slightly lesser degree in Viet Nam through technical focal points (TFPs) and subcontractors. Development and dissemination of knowledge products: Using output from the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), the TA developed a methodology for assessing the supply of biomass and prioritizing its use for enhancing energy and food security. Here the integration of resource assessment for crop and livestock wastes with lifecycle assessment, and least cost policy assessment were demonstrated and then used in training. The TA produced a number of biobriefs that were widely distributed both electronically and through hard copy distribution systems, knowledge products of specific topics, technical reports of specific methods, technologies, feasibility assessments, occupational safety programs, and policies, and a series of training videos on biomass utilization translated into local languages.