A commercial approach to biogas technology in Nepal

Many groups and individuals are involved in the development of intermediate technologies to help poorer people of the world, especially those in rural areas. However, for various reasons, these technologies do not always reach the people for whom they are intended as fast as they should. The problems of adopting a commercial approach to the manufacture and extension of intermediate technologies are described in this article and it is hoped that other groups planning similar ventures may benefit from the knowledge of the pitfalls encountered by the United Mission to Nepal (UMN). For, despite the problems, UMN feel that their programme has shown that the commercial approach is potentially very effective.