Lake Tana communities struggled for years as water hyacinth spread across the lake. In Shehagomngie village, Gondar Zuriya district, hand removal was tiring and the plant grew back quickly, so people looked for other ideas.
Assistant professor Yezbie Kassa and local people tested small biogas digesters. They collected the weed and animal dung and put them into the digesters. Over weeks, the materials broke down and produced biogas for cooking and lighting. The remaining material became a simple fertiliser.
The pilot was in five households. One fisherman reported better crop yields and less spending on chemical fertiliser, and women spent less time gathering firewood.
Difficult words
- water hyacinth — a fast growing water plant that blocks lakes
- hand removal — taking the plant away by hand
- biogas digester — a small machine that makes gas from wastebiogas digesters
- dung — animal waste used as fuel or fertiliseranimal dung
- fertiliser — a material added to soil to help plants
- crop yield — the amount of food grown on landcrop yields
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you like a biogas digester in your community? Why or why not?
- How could less time gathering firewood help families in the village?
- What other local plants or materials could be useful for fuel or fertiliser where you live?
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