Story by Tamuka Charakupa
CHIPINGE communities have embraced the introduction of low cost pre-fabricated biogas digesters, amid calls by government for adoption and use of green energy sources.
Rural communities in Chipinge are warming up to the use of low cost biogas digesters, with the energy output being used utilised for domestic use.
For Mr Micheal Chingwena and his wife, biogas has become a game changer, especially in mitigating deforestation rampant in their area.
“We are now using biogas a shift from our traditional means of relying on firewood. The introduction of these low cost technology is facilitating a huge uptake of biogas. On top of this huge benefit we are also benefitting in the form of slug which we are using in our fields.”
“Gone are the days when we used to spend much of our productive time fetching firewood. This is helping a lot especially for the old age because it’s saving us a lot of time and at the same time enhancing field production through the use of liquid fertilisers.”
The net effect is a decline in the rampant cutting down of trees which was also contributing to increased flooding in the area.
“We are responding to the climate change gaps that we are facing as a nation in terms of promoting the use of green energy sources. We have introduced a low cost pre-fabricated biogas digester that uses cow dung and bio-waste. The idea is to minimise use of firewood that has been a major cause of soil erosion contributing to environmental degradation. We are happy with the uptake of the programme,” said Mr Ultimate Nyangove (Lanforce Energy).
Chipinge Meteorological Services department officer, Lydia Masengu said, “We are really encouraging our farming to form cooperatives and embrace this opportunity so that we adopt clean energy especially now at a time when we are faced with climate change effects such as drought, floods etc. Our farmers are also being saved in terms of costs of acquiring fertilisers.”
Zimbabwe is currently implementing a wide range of programmes aimed at doubling the national energy output, enhancing regional energy security and creating investment opportunities under the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa.
