Project “Support Project to the Biogas Program for the Animal Husbandry Sector in some Provinces of Vietnam” is the cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and Government of Netherlands. Starting in January 2003, the project aims at developing a commercially viable and market oriented biogas industry and contribute to avoid the use of fossil fuels and biomass resource depletion. Livestock Production Department (formerly named Department of Agriculture), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) are assigned to implement the project activities. The award presenters were appreciate the approaching method of the program which attracting both public and private actors in the promotion and construction of domestic biogas.

Currently, the programme reached over 27,000 farming households in 24 in rural provinces in a commercially viable manner. By 2010, the programme aims to a total of 167,000 plants installed in over 50 provinces. Construction targets, however, are just one dimension of the whole programme, whose successful implementation is eventually linked to a sector approach to biogas as a source of sustainable energy at household level. The ultimate objective is to establish an economically viable, market-oriented biogas sector.

Project objectives

·        Contribute to reduce environment pollution due to un-planned animal husbandry development, reduce GHG emission of about 28.365 tons/year and produce good fertilizer for cropping and food for animals;

·        Substitute yearly about 13,724 tons of wooden fuel or agricultural wastes with clean energy source in order to improve livelihood environment and health in rural areas;

·        Create at least 700 jobs for “biogas plant construction and services” in rural areas.

Project Areas of operation:

·        In the first phase, the project was implemented in 12 provinces: Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, Nghe An, Thua Thien Hue, Dong Nai, Tien Giang, Lang Son, Hoa Binh, Dac Lac, Binh Dinh, Hanoi and Thai Nguyen.

·        In the bridging phase 2006, apart from the mention above 12 provinces, the project will be expanded to 8 more cities and provinces: Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Son La, Phu Tho, Yen Bai and  Thanh Hoa.

·        In phase II, the project will be upscaled to cover about 50 provinces nationwide. 4 new provinces have joined the project in the year 2007 are Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Nam Dinh and Tra Vinh.