A fifth biogas system for homes in Vava’u was launched in Longomapu on May 9 under a China Agricultural Assistance and Technical Cooperation Project between the Governments of China and Tonga.

Governor Lord Fakatulolo launched the system at Pita Lakai's home by turning on a gas stove using the gas from this system.

Project leader Mr Li Jingguo said the Chinese Government had provided aid for three phases for the project since 2012, in which they bring capital funds and technology while the Tongan side provide the land.

“We have set up an ecological, clean cycle demonstration base of pig-biogas vegetable in the farm by using locally available plentiful resources.”

He said they have also held demonstrations, trainings and promotion in vegetable growing, pig raising and biogas application.

The project for this phase began in 2016 introducing the mentioned pig biogas-vegetable model to households.

To date five homes in Neiafu, Leimatu’a and now Longomapu have got this system to help alleviate rising gas prices for families, while at the same time growing their own vegetable farms for either commercial or subsistence use.

Pig waste is one of the key ingredients in biogas farming that is turned into methane gas for cooking and organic liquid fertilizer - rich in nutrients to feed plants.

Biogas is clean and renewable fuel that you can make yourself.