CNN Indonesia, Jakarta – PT. Pertamina (Persero) has been confirmed to lose its 3-kilograms LPG customers of the Andini Lestari Lulung Dairy Farmers Group in Lulung Village, Karanganyar. The reason is, the farmers belonging to the group have successfully been able to produce biogas generated by the manures of the livestock they raise to fulfill the daily needs of the households.

“During the last two years we cook by utilizing the biogas produced through our livestock stables. The needs have been fulfilled through the place, while LPGs are purchased just for backup purposes,” uttered Widayat, the biogas user and a member of Andini Lestari Dairy Farmers Group as quoted from the page of the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE).

Widayat explained, since 2013 the Dairy Farmers Group have been supported by the government to construct biogas facility which is now being used by the members alternately for cooking purposes. Biogas at the manure reservoir tank is channeled through a 100-meter length PVC pipe to the kitchen of the livestock breeder households belonging to the Dairy Farmers Group.

Two reservoir tanks installed beneath the surface in stable area are capable of supplying three households located nearest from the stable. According to Widayat, the calorie or heat produced by the biogas is similar to those produced by the LPGs frequently used by the users of the subsidized goods although biogas produces stronger aroma.

“Early in the morning the manures are dissolved until they are soft enough. It is then poured into the reservoir tanks. The biogas is ready by the evening for use by the cooking stoves,” he mentioned. The responsibilities for preparing the biogas raw materials are shouldered by the users of this renewable energy alternately. The responsibilities include channeling the biogas to the cooking stoves.

The Chairperson of Andini Lestari Dairy Farmers Group, Joko Kiswanto, said that the distribution of biogas to the community households is a form of contribution to the inhabitant living closest to the stables.

“Back in 2009, we received support from the government in the form of 52 cows. Right now the number of the animals have grown to more than 100. The surrounding community have also enjoyed the benefits as biogas users,” he explained.

Joko added, the limited capacity of the tank have posed as the challenge in increasing the biogas supplies to the households. Additionally, there are requirements for gas distribution standard equipment rather than simply pvc pipes which are prone to leakage. Should we are able to meet the requirements, Andini Lestari Dairy Farmers Group will be ready to distribute the biogas to nine other households. (gen)