Biogas digesters to empower rural women

Challenge

The company addresses a dual challenge: deforestation and soil depletion.
Most rural households face energy insecurity. Wood remains the most commonly used fuel for cooking in these areas, exposing residents—mainly women and children—to smoke-related respiratory diseases.
In agriculture, the limited availability of effective organic fertilizer contributes to declining yields and therefore lower farmers’ incomes.

Innovative solution

BSB BIO offers an innovative solution to replace the widespread use of wood in rural areas with a more sustainable cooking energy: biogas. The biodigesters installed by the company produce biogas, a clean source of cooking energy, as well as a natural fertiliser generated from the methanisation process. This fertiliser is supplied to businesses and agricultural organisations, enriching soils and improving yields.
The business model relies on BSB BIO pre-financing the construction of biodigesters, which are then fully reimbursed in kind through the collection of fertiliser. Women using this system gain access to a source of income, as half of the fertiliser’s sale price is returned to them.
By combating deforestation and the overexploitation of wood, BSB BIO fosters a lasting shift in cooking practices. To date, 350 women in northern Senegal use biodigesters integrated into their kitchens.
BSB BIO also plans to train some of these women in a complementary technology, biochar, which they will be able to market alongside the fertiliser produced by the biodigesters.

Impact

• Access to biodigesters with integrated kitchens for 150 women
• Collection and marketing of 750 tons of organic fertilisers over the project duration
• Sale of 120 tons of biochar
• Income generation for 160 rural women

Photo credit ©Phototigui