Methanisation is a process aimed at producing renewable energy, or biogas, from organic matter. Widely used in the agricultural sector, it offers numerous environmental and financial benefits for farmers.
In Sakh, a locality in the city of Tivaouane, Senegal, the CIRAWA project has been instrumental in the installation of a methanisation unit. This initiative enables agricultural waste to be transformed into biofertilisers and biogas, providing an innovative and sustainable solution for the management of organic residues.
CIRAWA is working closely with the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), which is overseeing operations on the ground. The methanisation unit was installed thanks to an agreement between ISRA and Afrique Biogaz Environnement (ABE).
Dr. Mamadou Sall, coordinator of the CIRAWA project at ISRA, points out that this initiative is part of the agroecological practices that CIRAWA seeks to promote. At the heart of the project are two key initiatives: composting and methanisation.
Dr Mbaye Diop, Research Director at ISRA, explains that the composting process relies on the use of cow manure. The objective is threefold: to improve soil quality, increase crop productivity on the farm, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Experiments are due to take place to determine the optimum amount of liquid fertiliser use to achieve maximum yields for each crop.
Madiara Diop, CEO of Afrique Biogaz Environnement, gives more details on the methanisation unit, also called a biomethanisation unit, which converts waste into energy through a waste valorisation process. The unit can produce up to three cubic metres of biogas and 200 litres of biofertiliser per day. Additional equipment, such as a desulphuriser to remove hydrogen sulphide and a dehydrator to remove water, are installed to produce biomethane, a clean gas.
Beneficiaries, such as Babacar Diop, highlight the importance of this project for farmers whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and livestock farming, with CIRAWA playing a central role in its implementation. Agricultural methanisation represents a significant step forward for Senegalese agriculture, offering a sustainable solution for organic waste management, renewable energy production and soil fertility improvement. Beyond its environmental benefits, this project also contributes to strengthening food security, reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and creating new economic opportunities for local farmers.
