Perceptions on Biogas Usage among Piggery Owners of San Juan, Batangas, 2018-2019

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pig farming is one of the businesses San Juaneños are accustomed to gain and sustain their financial income. Nevertheless, the industry resulted in various burgeoning environmental concerns due to improper pig waste manure disposal. In line with this, the Biogas as an alternative way to manage pig manures was introduced to lessen dangers this wastes may cause the environment. In this study, researchers implied Biogas to pig farm owners and sought perceptions of its applications in pig farms to properly address the pig waste manure disposal methods.

METHODS

The researchers used Qualitative Research design to gather information and perceptions towards the research topic. Descriptive type of research was used in the study to be able to present observations and personal opinions gathered from local pig farm owners. Through Key-informant in-depth interviews (KIIs), information is obtained from pig farmers.

RESULTS

The study among five local pig farmers registered as shareholders of Cooperative of Kapisanan ng Maghahayupan sa San Juan (KAMASA), whom one is aged in scale between 41-50 and four are at the range 51 years old –above, shows that they have varied pig farm type and experience. Most of the respondents had small-scale pig farm (21-100 pig heads), while there is one pig farmer who has a backyard pig farm (20 pig heads), and another with a large-scale pig farm (200 and above). Only one of them incorporated Biogas to its pig farm. Biogas is an "anaerobic processing" which gets methane gas within waste produced to lessen the odor it may emit to the environment. This waste manure disposal method aims to manage both liquid and solid wastes produced by pig farms. According to respondents, they are well informed towards the implementation of Biogas in San Juan. Nevertheless, their pig farm type requires a Biogas facility designed for large-scale pig farms that costs Php.100,000.00 at the minimum, so they settle with lagoons and septic tanks. The biogas prevents pig farms to throw the pig wastes to riverbanks, which are connected to other bodies of water such as the ocean, to avoid air and water contamination and pollution.

DISCUSSIONS

Despite having a lot of ways onhow one can manage their pig wastes, biogas still is a great option. To be able to conserve and help taking good care of the environment, there must be a practice of innovating biogas within pig farms, most especially if they are into producing at least 50 pig heads within their owned pig farms.