A project Coordinator was appointed.A baseline survey conducted in Okondjatu.An annual marketing programme was developed so as to prevent/minimize stock theft and simultaneous marketing. Farmer information days were conducted in Okandjatu. Project beneficiaries taken on 2 exposure trips in order for them to learn more about biogas technology.4 biogas digesters built with each benfiting household contributing N$1000. English and Otjiherero promotional posters on biogas technology were developed. Media programmes on the Otjiherero radio and new Era newspaper were used to sensitize and mobilize the community.

The following was copied from the project evaluation document.

Overall Goal

Wood fuel consumption in Okondjatu area is reduced through the use of biogas technology.

Evaluation workshop comments on the Overall goal:
q Although the project overall goal cannot be reached only 1,5% of wood fuel consumption in Okondjatu has been recorded since the inception of the project through the construction of merely 3 biogas plants and this a positive contribution of farmers towards the project goal.
q The consumption of wood fuel cannot be completely stopped but only reduced due to the cultural norms of the Ovaherero people that coincide with their ancestral believes.
q The many sensitization and mobilization events that was carried out by the project during this pilot phase also necessitated other indirect beneficiaries to reduce their wood fuel consumption and contributing in a way towards the project overall goal.

Project Purpose

Pilot communities in Okondjatu area have reduced wood fuel consumption by using biogas as an affordable and appropriate energy source in a sustainable manner.

Evaluation workshop comments on the project purpose:
q Direct project beneficiaries have started collecting wood only once with either donkey cart or by vehicle per week and last for almost two weeks.
q This drastic change can be compared to the Baseline survey statistic that was carried out during 2003 by Outase Biogas Project were the same direct beneficiaries would collect firewood for almost three to four times per week using the same mode of transport.
q Direct beneficiaries in the past used to spend close to N$700.00 (including transport) to purchase gas bottles to towns such as Okakarara or Otjiwarongo which would take them not more than two months, but with the installation of Biogas digesters at their household this has reduced their household expenditures.




Project Objectives

1. To sensitize the communities of Okondjatu on problems caused by excessive use of fuel wood by introducing and promoting alternative sources of energy especially biogas.

Workshop comments on Objective number one:
q Many media programmes through the Otjiherero Radio and the New era newspaper have been produced in sensitizing and mobilizing the community not only those residing in Okondjatu area but to the broader community in all four corners of our country.
q Other renewable energy sources that are application to our condition have also been part of this sensitization process such as the Solar stove, Vesto stove, Solar Home System and the Tso Tso stove.
q Direct beneficiaries and some local project stakeholders were taken to functioning Biogas plant sites such at Epukiro Pos 3 and in the Grootberg area.

2. Build and operate 4 biogas plants at selected central localities

Workshop comment on Objective number two:
q The fluctuations between the Namibian dollar and the US dollar contributed negatively towards the project budget and this forced us to construct only three biogas plants and not four as planned.

3. Run education, information and promotional programmes from biogas sites to promote the use of biogas as an energy source.

Workshop comments on Objective number three:
q Promotional programmes were held at each of the three Biogas plants sites and local communities close by were invited to such events for information sharing and promotion of Biogas technology.
q Local schools, Farmers Association?s, Traditional leader, Project stakeholders and the community at large have been prevalent at these events.
q Information Days were not only held at Biogas plants sites but some also took place at other places within the Okakarara constituency and Omaheke region.
q Promotional poster of the Biogas technology has also been produced in English and Otjiherero languages as a tool for promoting this very important renewable energy source.




9. Project Lessons Learned

The project has illustrated the importance of adapting the Biogas technology to local conditions to ensure that it works in the local setting, and that its use can be sustained. The project has helped remove technical barriers by developing, with the involvement of community members a new version of a biogas unit that is adapted to local conditions. The project has also incorporated several aspects to help improve access to information about biogas technology. Several Farmer?s Information Days were held and development of posters, radio clips to educate the public. The project has integrated capacity development for local farmers especially during the construction of all three Biogas Plants. The Involvement of these individual from the beginning in construction, with the goal of preparing them to promote the technology in their area, helped greatly in raising awareness about biogas and its benefits. In addition to learning how to construct Biogas Plants, other trainings have been conducted in collaboration with the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, Desert Margins Project, which covered topics such as why environmental protection is important, livestock management and rangeland management. As evidenced by the beneficiaries who use biogas plants in this community, community members are more aware of how environmental problems affect their livelihoods, and how using Biogas plants can improve the environment. The development of written materials such as Posters, newspapers releases and radio clips to educate the public have improved access to information about biogas technology within our rural communities.

10. Project Impact

The project has globally contributed towards the reduced use of firewood for cooking and other activities as a result of the construction of biogas leading to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Locally the vegetation has been under less pressure especially in the target villages as a result of the decreased use of firewood in those villages. Money that was previously used for purchasing gas bottles has now diverted to other basic needs at pilot homesteads. The long distance that women were walking to collect wood has been reduced by the decrease due to less wood consumption per week. The issue of gender equality was taken, as a priority and that case two from the three beneficiaries are women. The project has also conducted intensive or practical trainings to develop the capacity of three local people at each site to build and operate the biogas unit. These individuals will later be responsible for spreading the technology around their area.

In addition, the project itself contracted three local technicians, who through the process of working with this project have learned more about biogas units and are familiar with this particular model. These individuals are also now more capable of facilitating the spread of biogas technology.



11. Project Challenges

As it was a pilot project quite a number problems or challenges were encountered during the implementation. The very important challenge to the project is the transport issue. As a new technology to our rural communities regular awareness is needed and not only in the Okondjatu area but also to other area in our country that has got enough cattle to provide fodder for the plant. The current Project Manager has been supporting OKOFA activities on a voluntary basis and this capable person has demonstrated his abilities in assisting OKOFA to achieve what they have achieved so far on the Outase Project under very difficult conditions. The problem of lack of financial source to cater for the Project Manager salary will be big constraint to OKOFA should he be forced to leave the CBO at present, his departure will inflict a fatal blow to the activities and plans of the association.

The other challenge that lies ahead is the sourcing of funds by the Project Manager to extend the project to other areas within Okakarara constituency. The Project Manager has made several attempts to other development partners and the fight still continues.

12. Project Way Forward

The project shows good prospects for scaling up its results and through different awareness raising events held in Okondjatu area and other areas within Okakarara constituency and Omaheke region there is a great demand from farmers who want to own biogas digesters. Therefore, further funding from UNDP/GEF/SGP and other development partners is recommended in order to expand the Outase Biogas Energy Supply Project to other areas within Namibia and the availability of a project vehicle will surely boost the awareness level of biogas technology to rural communities and further contribute towards the combating of deforestation that is mostly affecting our rural areas. Thus, the Okondjatu Farmers Association is once again requesting for a full ownership of the vehicle that the project received under the Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia Environment Fund. Funding source that will accommodate for the Project Manager should also be sourced to different development partners. Initiatives of such magnitude are geared towards alleviating poverty among our rural communities