For years fishermen on Lake Tana faced serious trouble when invasive water hyacinth spread across the water. The weed blocked boats, damaged nets and pushed fish away from traditional areas. In Shehagomngie village, people found manual removal exhausting and ineffective because the plant grew back quickly.
Research led by Yezbie Kassa, assistant professor at the University of Gondar, tested a biogas solution. Teams collected water hyacinth waste and animal dung and fed them into biogas digesters. Through anaerobic digestion the materials produced biogas, mainly methane and carbon dioxide, and the remaining bioslurry worked as fertiliser.
The small pilot was installed in five households. Early volunteers said they now cook and light homes with the gas, apply the bioslurry to fields and spend less on firewood and chemical fertiliser. Experts noted that converting invasive plants can reduce damage and create livelihoods, but expansion needs more government support and funding.
Difficult words
- invasive — spreading fast and causing harm to local plants
- digester — a device that breaks down waste to make gasdigesters
- anaerobic — without oxygen, a process used by bacteria
- bioslurry — liquid material left after digestion used as fertiliser
- fertiliser — substance added to soil to help plants grow
- pilot — small initial project to test a new idea
- volunteer — person who chooses to help without payvolunteers
- livelihood — a way people earn money to livelivelihoods
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could turning the invasive plant into biogas help people in the village? Give two simple reasons.
- Would you support government funding for projects like this in other areas? Why or why not?
- What challenges might the community face if they try to expand the biogas system?
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