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 This
project aimed to provide greater food security and renewable energy
sources to a small village in Kampong Cham Province. It involved
the small-scale installation of biodigester units and water pumps, and
the planting of vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
Education and training programs allowed the farmers in the village
to undertake the construction and installation themselves, under the
supervision of the CRDT team. The farmers were taught how
to operate and maintain the biodigesters.
The CRDT team also worked with the farmers to improve their agricultural
practicees. This included new fertilisation techniques using the
biodigester effluent and composting.
Biological Gas Digesters (Biodigesters) eliminate the requirement
for traditional carbon fuels such as wood and coal. The Biodigester
accumulates and directs naturally emitted Methane Gas from animal manure
and vegetable waste, to be used safely as cooking fuel. In so
doing it reduces local deforestation. The residual waste product
from the Biodigester may then be used as natural fertiliser. When
applied to fields, this increases harvest yield. Fruit and vegetable
production may also be recommenced.
Shortly after project completion in July 2002, the farmers in Lngeung
Village were able to produce a surplus of vegetables, which they were
then able to trade and supplement their income.
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