Summary
Various types of locally available organic materials such as cocoa pods, rice husks, brewery wastes, Pistia, water hyiacinth (Eichhornia sp.) and sawdust from louro wood were tested for their ability to produce biogas. Gas production was compared with that from cow dung. Factores which influence gas production rates (temperature, pH and nutritional aspects) were studied. None of the materials tested gave biogas in the same quantity as when cattle dung was used. The most favorable material, water hyacinth, was studied in more detail. Economic aspects of the production of biogas are discussed.