Energy From Agriculture as a Route to Community Development in the Philippines
programs for agriculture and energy production. Without the adequate policies and collaboration of various agencies, problems may arise regarding the sustainability of biomass-to-energy programs. It is also important for policy coordination among relevant government agencies, with their specific thrusts clearly defined and put in place, and with participation of stakeholders. There is inadequate data on biomass resources and on information regarding the benefits and disadvantages of its use. Cutting edge research and development on the economic and substitution value of biomass is needed, as well as adequate Information, Education, Communication (IEC) campaigns and other advocacy efforts to promote its use and acceptance among the people. Information regarding the economic value of biomass as an environment- friendly resource should also be disseminated, as well as the negative impacts of improper management. Though a resource assessment study was already conducted in the country for six biomass resources (rice hull, bagasse, coconut residues, animal manure, forestry wastes and urban refuse), there is still inadequate data on available technologies, biomass potential for investors, possible livelihood ventures and its performance. Most technologies still need to be developed so that they would become costcompetitive compared with conventional sources. 6. Conclusion The Philippines generate as much as 50 million MT of biomass yearly and only 0.054% of it is being utilized. Most end up as agricultural or industrial wastes that add up to our burgeoning waste problems. As such, it becomes a pollution problem because of the gasses and particulates it emits during decomposition and the nutrient build-up it creates in bodies of water. It is an untapped resource that can be used to help abate air pollution, promote sustainable farming through the use of organic fertilizers, energize remote rural areas and provide livelihood especially for those in the rural areas. A multitude of technologies exist that use biomass to generate electricity. Continuous research and development is being done to improve the technology and increase its efficiency as well as minimize emissions. These technological advancements in biomass utilization have brought about opportunities for rural development. In several countries such as India, Canada and the USA biomass is already being used on large-scale bases to minimize dependence on fossil fuels and provide energy in remote and rural areas, especially those that are not served or are poorly served by grid. However, the development of these biomass projects must also be locally driven and area-specific, especially since resource availabilities vary across localities. Transfer of technologies must also take into consideration the managerial capabilities of the communities and benefits must always be shared equitably with the local people who always end up bearing the social and ecological costs of certain technologies. Electricity can be generated through gasification, combustion, liquefaction, pyrolysis and the microbiological conversion of biomass to obtain gaseous and liquid fuels by fermentative methods. Thermal decomposition or pyrolysis of municipal solid wastes is done to produce liquid fuel oils and chemicals. Microbial conversion
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