Begin by assessing your farm's suitability for a biodigester system through a virtual assessment with the technical team. Take into account that you will need a consistent daily supply of manure from at least two medium-sized cows or five pigs or a mix of manure. Identify a suitable installation location near both your animal housing and kitchen—typically within 35-40 metres for smaller systems. Consider the terrain, soil conditions, and accessibility for installation and daily feeding. Contact Sistema.bio or a local distribution partner to schedule a farm assessment. The technical team will evaluate your specific energy and fertiliser needs, confirm the optimal biodigester size for your livestock numbers, and explain financing options including government subsidies, carbon credit programmes, and corporate partnerships that can reduce your cost to just 15-20% of the total investment.

Once approved, prepare your site and dig your pit according to specifications provided. Sistema.bio technicians handle the complete installation, which typically takes one day for smaller systems. The prefabricated modular components—including the reactor membrane, feeding system, gas lines, pressure relief valves, filters, and cookstove—arrive ready to assemble. The team schedules the installation once the pit is digged and during installation they position the reactor partially underground, installs all connections, and conducts safety checks. They fill the system with the initial feedstock (20-70 buckets of manure mixed with water, depending on size) to begin the biological process. Before leaving, installers verify all safety features function properly and ensure you understand basic operation. The biodigester begins producing usable gas within a few days as the microbial community establishes itself.

Approximately 30 days after installation, technicians return for system commissioning and comprehensive biogas training. Learn to safely operate the gas line, light the cookstove correctly, adjust flame intensity, and recognise proper system function. Understand the importance of daily feeding schedules and proper manure-to-water ratios for optimal gas production. Receive guidance on safety precautions, including adequate kitchen ventilation, leak detection, and emergency procedures. The training covers troubleshooting common issues and when to contact support services. At 90 days, a second training session focuses specifically on harvesting and applying the biofertiliser output, teaching proper storage, dilution ratios for different crops, and application techniques that maximise soil benefits.

Integrate biodigester management into your daily farm activities. Each morning or evening, collect fresh manure and mix it thoroughly with water at the recommended ratio. Feed this mixture into the biodigester through the inlet pipe, allowing displaced effluent to flow into the collection chamber. This entire process takes 15-20 minutes. Monitor gas pressure regularly and watch for any irregularities in production or system function. Harvest biofertiliser weekly from the outlet—most systems produce 100-1,000 litres per week depending on size. Store the liquid fertiliser in covered containers and apply it to crops, either diluted for direct application or concentrated for specific high-nutrient needs. Keep a simple log noting any changes in gas production or system performance.

Maintain your biodigester through simple, periodic tasks that ensure long-term performance. Check gas lines monthly for leaks or blockages, clean filters as needed, and verify pressure relief valves operate correctly. Avoid feeding the system items it cannot process, such as stones, plastics, or excessive amounts of non-organic materials. At the six-month mark, Sistema.bio conducts an impact assessment and provides refresher training, measuring improvements in your household's health, economic savings, and farm productivity. Participate in the five-year proactive maintenance visit, where technicians replace worn components and provide updated training. Join local farmer networks to share experiences, learn optimisation techniques, and become a resource for other farmers considering biodigester adoption. Take advantage of phone support and on-site technical visits whenever issues arise.