scholarly journals Techno-Economic Analysis of a Cogeneration System for Post-Harvest Loss Reduction: A Case Study in Sub-Saharan Rural Community

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasaq Lamidi ◽  
Long Jiang ◽  
Yaodong Wang ◽  
Pankaj Pathare ◽  
Marcelo Aguilar ◽  
...  

Over 90% of global yam production is from West Africa where it provides food and income for above 300 million smallholders’ farmers. However, the major challenge of yam is 10–40% post-harvest losses due to the lack of appropriate storage facilities. This paper assesses a biogas-driven cogeneration system, which could supply electricity and cold storage for ‘yam bank’ within a rural community. Considering 200 households’ Nigerian village as a case study, crop residues are used as anaerobic digestion feedstock to produce biogas, which is subsequently used to power an internal combustion engine. Result shows that the system could store 3.6 tonnes of yam tubers each year and provide enough electricity for domestic and commercial activities. At the current electricity tariff of USD0.013·kWh−1 for rural areas, the system is unable to payback during its life span. The proposed USD0.42·kWh−1 by Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency seems good with less than 3 years discounted payback period but brings about extra burden on poor rural households. Based on the income from cold storage, electricity tariff of USD0.105·kWh−1 with an interest rate of 4% is suggested to be reasonable which results in 6.84 years discounted payback period especially considering non-monetary benefits of renewable energy system.

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1398
Author(s):  
Xinfang Wang ◽  
Rosie Day ◽  
Dan Murrant ◽  
Antonio Diego Marín ◽  
David Castrejón Botello ◽  
...  

To improve access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy in rural areas of the global south, off-grid systems using renewable generation and energy storage are often proposed. However, solution design is often technology-driven, with insufficient consideration of social and cultural contexts. This leads to a risk of unintended consequences and inappropriate systems that do not meet local needs. To address this problem, this paper describes the application of a capabilities-led approach to understanding a community’s multi-dimensional energy poverty and assessing their needs as they see them, in order to better design suitable technological interventions. Data were collected in Tlamacazapa, Mexico, through site visits and focus groups with men and women. These revealed the ways in which constrained energy services undermined essential capabilities, including relating to health, safety, relationships and earning a living, and highlighted the specific ways in which improved energy services, such as lighting, cooking and mechanical power could improve capabilities in the specific context of Tlamacazapa. Based on these findings, we propose some potential technological interventions to address these needs. The case study offers an illustration of an assessment method that could be deployed in a variety of contexts to inform the design of appropriate technological interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-292
Author(s):  
Changa Wangmo ◽  
Tashi Dendup

This study assessed post-harvest activities and post-harvest losses of green chili farming in Kabjisa, Punakha, Bhutan. Data came from interviewing 75 chili-growers selected via proportionate random sampling. Most farmers were found selling fresh chili (green chili). Few farmers produced blanched, dried, and powdered chilies for self-consumption. Most grown chili varieties were Wookup ema, Indian chili, and Yangtsep ema. Farmers mostly harvested chilies manually during the daytime in a bucket. The majority of the farmers have sorted and graded chilies based on disease infection, damaged parts, and size. Chilies are usually packed and stored for a night before the sale. Most chili losses occurred during harvesting, followed by marketing and sorting. The price of fresh chilies had to discount significantly during the peak season as farmers could not process chilies into other products. Hence, supporting farmers with dryer, cold storage, chili value addition infrastructure, and contract farming would minimize chili losses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunna Kovanen

AbstractThe article presents results from a research on the relevance and challenges of collaboration for the long-term sustainability of rural community enterprises. The study relies on Communities of Practice and Degrowth theories. Methods include semi-standardised interviews and focused ethnography in two community enterprises in rural areas in Germany and Portugal. Main results confirm the relevance of collaborative relations with residents, public sector, peer organisations and within the teams for both stability and transformative power of the organisations’ work. Respectful handling of privileges and balance in participation and professionalisation support sustainability, whereas institutional stagnation and involuntary degrowth may risk it.


ForScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e00995
Author(s):  
Mariza Silva Bitarães Dias ◽  
Alex Cardoso Pereira

A ausência de sistemas de tratamento de esgoto doméstico é uma das principais causas de insalubridade e degradação ambiental, além de ser uma forte ameaça à segurança alimentar das famílias rurais brasileiras. O estudo teve como objetivo fornecer subsídios para a elaboração de um programa de implantação de tratamento de esgoto doméstico na área da microbacia hidrográfica do Córrego do Mato, situado na comunidade rural São Braz, Simonésia, Minas Gerais. Foi investigada a situação do abastecimento de água e do esgotamento sanitário de 67 domicílios. Foi encontrado um cenário preocupante em relação à disposição final do esgoto doméstico, sendo que 96% dos domicílios estão em situação inadequada - disposição in natura em cursos d’água ou fossas rudimentares. Foram propostas alternativas adequadas para o tratamento do esgoto doméstico de acordo com as necessidades e condições locais da área de estudo. As alternativas escolhidas são tecnologias sociais e ecológicas com replicação e já implantadas em outras localidades rurais. Palavras-chave: Águas residuárias. Desenvolvimento rural. Bacia hidrográfica. Decentralized technologies appropriate for treating domestic sewage in rural areas: case study for a rural community in Simonesia - Minas Gerais Abstract The absence of domestic sewage treatment systems is one of the main causes of unhealthy and environmental degradation, in addition to being a strong threat to the food security of Brazilian rural families. The study aimed to provide subsidies for the elaboration of a program for the implementation of domestic sewage treatment in the area of the watershed of the Córrego do Mato, located in the rural community of São Braz, Simonésia, Minas Gerais. The situation of water supply and sanitation for 67 households was investigated. A worrying scenario was found in relation to the final disposal of domestic sewage, with 96 % of households being in an inadequate situation - in natura disposal in water courses or rudimentary cesspits. Appropriate alternatives have been proposed for the treatment of domestic sewage according to the needs and local conditions of the study area. The alternatives chosen are social and ecological technologies with replication and already implemented in other rural locations. Keywords: Wastewater. Rural development. Hydrographic basin.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.20) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
Rajermani Thinakaran ◽  
Rosmah Ali ◽  
Wan Nor Al-Ashekin Wan Husin

In students’ learning process, self-efficacy plays an important part. In Malaysia, there are a number of researches on students’ self-efficacy. However, none of the studies focuses on undergraduate students’ computer self-efficacy from the rural areas. This article presents a quantitative research on undergraduate students’ perceived computer self-efficacy. A total of 128 first semester undergraduate students participated in the survey, employing a 27-item questionnaire measuring computer self-efficacy. The items were pilot-tested before being administered to the respondents. Outcome of the research show that computer self-efficacy level is high for basic and advanced skills. The result of the research shows that rural community has accepted the ICT as part of their lifestyle.   


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ngah

This paper examines the extent to which sustainable development principles are practiced in rural life in Malaysia. The first part of the paper defines the concept and principles of rural sustainability. The second part highlights the findings of a case study on rural sustainability practice of a rural community in Malaysia. These include the practice of recycling and reuse of materials, utilization of electricity, water and chemical substances, mode of transport, diversification of economic activities and social cohesion. The study indicates that the level of awareness and the practice of sustainability principles are still low among rural people. Few measures are suggested to promote greater awareness and the practice of rural sustainability in rural areas.


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ngah

This paper examines the extent to which sustainable development principles are practiced in rural life in Malaysia. The first part of the paper defines the concept and principles of rural sustainability. The second part highlights the findings of a case study on rural sustainability practice of a rural community in Malaysia. These include the practice of recycling and reuse of materials, utilization of electricity, water and chemical substances, mode of transport, diversification of economic activities and social cohesion. The study indicates that the level of awareness and the practice of sustainability principles are still low among rural people. Few measures are suggested to promote greater awareness and the practice of rural sustainability in rural areas.


1955 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Felix Keesing ◽  
Blodwen Hammond ◽  
Bernice McAllister

Decentralization of industry from urban to suburban and rural areas is a notable current trend. One zone where it is particularly marked is the rapidly expanding "Bay Area" around San Francisco, where a number of planned industrial communities are springing up. This is a first general report of a study being made by a staff and graduate student group at Stanford University of the movement of industry into a semi-rural community within that area. A prime purpose of the study, which will continue over a period of years, is to assess the special contributions the behavioral science field of social anthropology can make to research on industrial community development.


Vitruvian ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
La Ode Abdul Rachmad Sabdin Andisiri ◽  
Ishak Kadir ◽  
Muhammad Zakaria Umar

Pembangunan perdesaan adalah bagian integral dari pembangunan Indonesia, hakekat pembangunan adalah pembangunan manusia dan sumber daya manusia di perdesaan masih sangat rendah sehingga, arah pembangunan desa sebaiknya mengutamakan manusia dan penciptaan lapangan kerja. Penelitian ini bertujuan (1)  mengetahui fasilitas yang dibutuhkan oleh masyarakat perdesaan sebagai prasarana belajar, (2) menemukan rumusan kawasan binaan kampung kerja sebagai kawasan aglomerasii pendidikan sebagai upaya peningkatan kualitas sumber daya masyarakat desa. Penelitian ini diselenggarakan di Kabupaten Muna dan metode penelitian ini berlandaskan pada paradigma post-positivisme yakni metode studi kasus pendekatan kualitatif dimana aspek – aspek yang dianalisis adalah angkatan kerja, sektor ekonomi, kebutuhan bangunan, infrastruktur, dan zonasi keruangan. Penelitian ini menemukan dua temuan (1) kebutuhan akan fasilitas yang dibutuhkan untuk peningkatan kualitas angkatan kerja, (2) rumusan model kawasan binaan kampung pendidikan dan pelatihan kerja sebagai kawasan aglomerasi peningkatan sumber daya manusia perdesaan.Rural development is an integral part of Indonesia's development, the essence of development is human development and human resources in rural areas are still very low so that the direction of rural development should prioritize humans and job creation. The objetives of this research are (1) find out the facilities needed by rural communities as learning infrastructure, (2) find the formulation of the working area of the working village as an educational agglomeration area as an effort to improve the quality of rural community resources. This research was conducted in Muna Regency and this research method was based on the post-positivism paradigm, a case study method of qualitative approach where the aspects analyzed were labor force, economic sector, building needs, infrastructure, and spatial zoning. This study found two findings (1) the need for facilities needed to improve the quality of the workforce, (2) the formulation of the model of the village built area of education and job training as an agglomeration area to increase rural human resources.  


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