Biogas Initiative for Agriculture

While the Serbian government does support biogas technology, the current policy framework is not appropriate for implementation on small and medium-sized farms. Thus, only manure from large agricultural operations is treated in biogas plants. However, the bulk of manure production from livestock in Serbia occurs on small and medium-sized farms. To significantly mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock farming, it is necessary to advance implementation of biogas technology on small and medium-sized farms.

To achieve this, the project focused on knowledge and technology transfer. The Serbian project partner organised trainings for state authorities, professional associations, and farmers as well as meetings for key stakeholder groups, policy makers and investors from Germany and Serbia. Furthermore, it investigated manure GHG mitigation potentials and defined the prerequisites for sustainable technology implementation. Together, the project partners ensured the production and dissemination of information material for experts and the public. Thus, they promoted awareness and acceptance of biogas technology. The German partner organised a study tour for Serbian stakeholders to successful small biogas facilities in Germany. Additionally, it provided trainings for personnel in relevant ministries to adapt policy measures, for professional associations to give skilled feedback to state authorities, and for farmers to successfully implement biogas technology.

• Small biogas plants as a lever for climate change mitigation in agriculture: The project sensitised more than 100 female farmers, government representatives and experts at various events to the potential of small biogas plants for the use of liquid manure and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By visiting two biogas plants in Germany, participants from Serbia and Germany gained tangible insights into tried and tested practical solutions and discussed the next steps for implementing this technological concept.
• Impact beyond knowledge-building: The project activities helped to create the conditions for avoiding around 45,000 tonnes of CO₂eq per year in Serbia in future by using liquid manure from small and medium-sized farms in small biogas plants. The project thus made a measurable contribution to climate change mitigation in the agricultural sector and promoted sustainable energy solutions in rural areas.