Kazi Shahid Foundation (KSF) is currently running a homestead biogas project in Panchagarh district. The objectives of the project are to provide a clean, healthy and environmentally sustainable source of energy for cooking, lighting and small to medium size power generation. It also had a community empowerment agenda where besides increased productivity and health/ environmental benefits, the users of the technology would be able to generate some income out of selling by-products of the operation (bio-slurry).

Kazi Shahid Foundation (KSF) has been working in partnership with rural villagers and IDCOL. In order to help its membership live healthier and more productive lives, KSF has developed its Biogas and Bioslurry Program. The continuous burning of biomass fuels leads to long term health hazard and indoor air pollution. The amount of wood consumed, also contributes to an increase of green-house gas emissions and is in part responsible for deforestation. KSF is utilizing the “no cash" microfinance repayment system for this program, that is working to make biogas a viable alternative to the current biomass fuels used in cooking as well as repaying the plant loan by the slurry. In depth understanding of the needs and concerns of the village people; a comprehensive training program was developed, provided full support structure able to deal quickly with both simple and complex problems and finding innovative methods to use the bioslurry as a regular income generating asset. KSF places a lot of importance on providing end-to-end solutions to its user groups, and its community involvement through its parent company agro and dairy projects strengthens its role as an integrated biogas solution provider rather than a one-off biogas plant seller. With the experience of some of its previous biogas plant projects, KSF has noted that scarcity of cow-dung is a big constraint in operating larger plants. KSF organizes training and development in after-sales service and quality assurance, which will be taken up by KSF to substantially increase the usage efficiency of its plants.

A well devised plan to generate additional income through biogas plants selling bioslurry and gas is making biogas plants acceptable to all level of people in Panchagargh. In majority cases, advantages of biogas plants are generating an appeal to the people in Panchagargh, additional income is ultimately playing a strong motivator. The technical efficiencies of the fiberglass biogas plants are the key to the ultimate role behind the success of biogas program by KSF in Panchagargh region. The reduction in global warming should encourage the policy makers to promote biogas technology to combat climate change and integration of carbon revenues will help the farmers to develop biogas as a profitable activity. With the large number of existing and potential biogas plants, Bangladesh has a good opportunity to solve its energy crisis, reduce global warming and earn substantial revenue under the new regime of carbon marketing. The mechanism of carbon market should be used to promote installation of biogas plants by making these financially viable.

The continuous burning of Biomass fuels such as wood or dung leads to long term health issues, predominantly among the women of the household. The amount of wood consumed, also contributes to an increase of carbon emissions and is in part responsible for deforestation. Burning dried cow dung is a cheap alternative compared to other Biomass fuels. However, the process is labor intensive, unsanitary, and the fumes from burning contain carcinogens. The use of improved cook stoves helps with the efficiency but doesn't address the health related issues. KSF Biogas and Bio-fertilizer Program benefits the users as well as the people of the country using waste converted to energy. The production and use of biogas from waste management reduces natural pollution and deforestation and overall costs compared to the present cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This program increases energy efficiency by about 25% or more. The homemakers significant time saving can be employed for additional production which injects increasing Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and ultimately it generates a positive impact on Per-Capita Income. This program also benefits the agriculture and soil sustainability, as the by-product from the biogas plants bio-slurry, that is used as bio-fertilizer for better soil health, eventually will lead to sustainable agriculture.

Kazi Shahid Foundation (KSF), Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL)