STUDY OF QUALITATIVE EVALUATION FOR THE EFFECTS OF BIOGAS PLANT FOR COW MANURE ON REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

Abstract

 Biogas Plants (BGP) has various effects (environment, economy and society) to local community as well as production of new income as electric power. However, there is no study that clarify the overall picture of effects of BGP on local community. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of BGP on the dairy region from the viewpoint of dairy farmers and local administration. Two towns in Hokkaido, Okoppe town and Kamishihoro town, were selected as research field. These towns already have BGP to treat the dairy manure and these facilities was established by cooperation from local administration. The overall picture of the BGP introduction effect on the dairy region was shown qualitatively. Odor problem and low quality and quantity of grass from the perspective of dairy farmers were original problem in both town. BGP can solve these original problems. Additionally, it was found that the innovation of work was caused the leisure time created by outsourcing manure treatment. It was revealed that the range of BGP effect was wider than supposed effect (energy and environmental field) at design phase. BGP can contribute to increase employment, establishment of relation with other community and environmental education in dairy regional community.