BRT PhD Student and Junior Researcher Chama Theodore Ketuama will be defending his PhD thesis on April 23, 2025!

 

Title: “Understanding the viability and sustainable transition pathways of small-scale biogas technology in Cameroon”

Date: 23rd April 2025

Time: 11:00am

Location: Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Room 313

 

 

In rural areas of Cameroon, people use biomass comprised partly of fuelwood and charcoal to meet their household energy needs. This demand is satisfied at the expense of land degradation and deforestation resulting in long-term environmental changes. In such a light, biogas technology offers several benefits, combining energy production, waste management, fertilizer production and a healthier indoor environment at the rural household level and reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the global level. This study focused on economic viability, socio-economic/environmental impacts and sustainable pathways of small-scale biogas technology as a cleaner energy source. It also identified the requirements for establishing a sustainable biogas innovation system in Cameroon.

 

The outcomes of this study include four published papers, one conference paper and three abstracts presented at conferences. In addition, and as part of research activities at the BioResources & Technology (BRT) Division, he co-authored five papers, where three have been published, two others are still under review, and one conference paper.

Chama holds the Master of Engineering and Master of Science degrees in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Dschang, Cameroon and a certificate in Irrigation and Water Resources Management for Agriculture from the University of Queensland, Australia. Prior to moving to the Czech Republic for doctoral studies, he worked in Cameroon for over five years at the University of Bamenda and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. During his doctoral studies, he gained more professional experience through involvement in teaching activities and development projects of the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences and its partners in Africa, Europe and Asia.