SOURCE:

Faculty: Engineering
Department: Agricultural And Bio-resources Engineering

CONTRIBUTORS:

Chukwuma, E.C;
Chukwuma, G.O;
Ndirika, V.I;

ABSTRACT:

Anambra is the eight most populated state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the second most densely populated state in Nigeria after Lagos State. Since land is a scare resource in the state there is need for effective management of land to meet competing uses. Environmental degradation has made the use of renewable energy sources (eg biogas energy) the top most priority for developed and developing nations. For an optimal location of biogas plant in any region, location analysis should be undertaken well ahead of time, to avoid the need for demolition and any resultant negative effects of poor siting to residents, natural reserves or any sensitive area within the region.
Suitability analysis study was carried out in the study area using the number one world most recognised software for GIS analysis: ArcGIS. Data collection included field surveys, primary and secondary data collection from various organizations and individuals. The primary data from the field survey was collected through visit to Agricultural livestock farms and slaughter houses in the study area, to determine the biomass potentials of the various farms and abattoirs. Various GIS-based thematic maps were used for the production of the suitability maps which include administrative boundary map layer, road network layer, Land Use Land Cover (LULC) layer, Digital Elevation Map (DEM) layer, river layer, slope layer, and biomass potential density layer. The thematic maps were prepared and edited, overlaid and visualized on the basis of the suitability analyses using various GIS operations.
The result of the study shows that the most suitable areas for single facility location considering waste source proximity, socio-economic factors and environmental factor lies in Dunkofia, Onitsha North and Njikoka L.G.A. Further economic analysis using investment, maintenance, operational and transportation cost for these locations shows that the profitability indices are 1.498894, 1.732658 and 1.433577 for Onitsha North, Njikoka and Dunukofia L.G.A respectively. The modified capacitated location model used in economic analysis indicates that for distance less than 40km, the cumulative distances are 2219.948km, 2070.08km and 2049.64km respectively for Onitsha North, Njikoka and Dunukofia respectively. It follows from regional analysis of the study area using GIS technique for suitable biogas plant location and profitability indices that Njikoka L.G.A is the best location for single facility location in the State. For the multiple facility scenario, the result of set covering location modelling and location and allocation modelling indicates that a minimum of three locations are to be opened in the study area which should be sited in Abagana, Ihiala and Ajali.
From this study, it is recommended that an urgent need for an effective agricultural waste collection and treatment system should be embarked in the study area and strategic waste management for agricultural wastes products should be implemented in Anambra State.