To broaden and develop our teams’ collaborative skills while offering visiting students the chance to expand their scientific networks and gain cultural experiences, BRT encourages students to join our team for internship opportunities. These internships aim to facilitate idea exchange, foster professional growth, and create opportunities for collaboration.

The Agri Policy lab has released a new innovation-focused Policy Paper 2024/09, titled "Ukraine, its Food Security, and Future?" It analyses the current state of food security in Ukraine, addressing its agricultural potential and the numerous challenges that hinder the food system. As Ukraine continues to face multitude of challenges triggered by the full-scale Russian invasion, the perspective of food security paradigm should not only map its influence on the global food supply

BioResources and Technology Division (BRT) researcher Chama Theodore Ketuama and BRT Director Assoc Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík recently published an article! Disseminating modern energy to resource-poor countries contributes to achieving development objectives such as reducing poverty, access to drinking water, improving health and education, empowering women, and increasing food production. To enable wider use of this modern energy, investments must demonstrate profitability, and consumers must exhibit a willingness to bear the associated costs.

Rural areas of Cameroon are often reliant on traditional energy sources such as firewood and kerosene for cooking and lighting. Biogas offers a cleaner, more efficient, and potentially cheaper alternative. Organic fertiliser from the biogas production process can also be used to improve soil fertility. Given that the adoption of small-scale biogas plants partly depends on the inherent profitability and farmers' willingness to pay, this study provided answers to the following questions.

• Is biogas an economically viable clean energy option for rural areas in Cameroon?
• Are farmers willing to pay for the small-scale biogas plants?

This study provides valuable insights for rural farmers, policymakers, and investors to inform decision-making on promoting biogas technology in rural Cameroon.

Keywords: Biogas; benefit-cost ratio; sensitivity analysis; willingness to pay; clean energy; Cameroon

Citation: Ketuama, C.T., Roubík, H. Economic viability and factors affecting farmers’ willingness to pay for adopting small-scale biogas plants in rural areas of Cameroon. Renewable Energy, 230, 2024, 120895. Doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.120895

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The H2SCALE project officially launched with a kick-off meeting hosted by the Faculty of Economics at the University of Pécs, Hungary. This foundational event brought together partners from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovenia, and Hungary to discuss the shared vision and strategic goals for advancing hydrogen technologies, renewable energy systems, and sustainable mobility solutions. The H2SCALE project focuses on building a robust foundation for hydrogen ecosystems across regions

BRT Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubik, recently traveled to Pursat, Cambodia, to participate in the culmination of the Vermiculture Based Sustainable Organic Innovative Livelihood (V-Soil) Project. This transformative initiative was a collaboration between ADRA Cambodia, the Pursat Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, and various international partners including the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.

The closing event, held at the Pursat Provincial Department of Commerce’s meeting hall, was attended by 71 participants, including government officials, agricultural experts, and local stakeholders. The meeting focused on sharing the results of the V-Soil Project and discussing sustainability strategies for the future. Multiple officials expressed their support of the project and stated their commitment to supporting farmers in their goal of a more sustainable future in Cambodia.

Overall, the V-Soil project provided farmers with skills and resources to implement vermiculture-based sustainable practices to boost yields, reduce environmental impact, and inspire future generations. It’s a movement which redefined agriculture while planting seeds for a greener Cambodia!

Additional resources:

• BRT field visit blog: HERE
• Pursat Television local media coverage: HERE
• ADRA press release: HERE
• ADRA Cambodia project video: HERE

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