Traditional Biofuels and the Need for Developing Renewable Bioenergy Sour ces, the case of Koncher-Tik-Subshengo area, Dejen Woreda, Amhara Region
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Depletion of woody biomass is one of the pertinent environmental problems facing Ethiopia.
Specifically, central and northern highland parts of Ihe countl y, where cultivation and
sel/lemenl have occurred over centuries, have confronled severe woodfllel scarcity and ils
multiple environmental consequences. The study examined the sources and consumplion
pal/ems oftradilional biomassjuels as well as Ihe potel1lialsfor developing renewable biomass
energy sources. It was conducted in Koncher-Tik-Subshengo area, Dejen woreda, Amhara
region.
The study relied both on secondm), and primm)' data sOllrces. Secondmy data were gathered
from both published and unpublished materials. Primmy data were generated using structured
interview questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussion and observation. For
the study, 90 sample households were selected 1.lsing proportionate random sampling technique
from three purposefully selected sample villages. The data were analyzed IIsing bOlh
quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques.
The study disclosed that the principal types of biomass file Is utilized in the area arefuehvood,
dllng and crop residlle. 77,e other biomass fuels, which are utilized occasionally by a few
households but probably are unique to the sllldy site ami its environs. are caster bean and
collon seed. The stlldy as well uncovered the existence of serious l lielwood searcily and Ihe
related environmental problems. lhis is evidenced by the comparatively high proportion of the
consul1lplion of inferior biomass filels-dung and crop residues and low level of daily per capita
biomass fi le I consumption. While filelwood accounted 44.14%, dung and crop residlles
constituted 43.62% and 12.24% of the total biomass filel consumption respectively. 7he
average daily per capita biomass luel consumption was 21.93M.f (1.51 kg of fuelwood
equivalent). Free sources of I" elwood are exhausted. 7/'ee planting has 1/01 yet been developed
10 the level that counteracts the energy problems of the area. Only some enlighlened .
households have sufficient Il1Imher of planted trees and shmhs. Besides, despite the prevalence
of shorlage of biomassfllels ill the sile, the majority ( --77. 78%) of Ihe households use energy
inefficiellttraditiollal stoves.
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Keywords
Biofuels