Improving livelihood through technical innovation in Zimbabwe

ILO NEWS (Chivi): The diversification by the Chivi Egg Production Project to a biogas digester took off in January 2016 using the USD3,000 prize money from the enterPRIZE Job Creation Challenge. The biogas digester has undoubtedly helped to improve the project beneficiaries’ on-site cooking and use of a gas deep freezer. The community surrounding Mhiti Business Centre witnessed the launch of a biogas digester for the Chivi Egg Production Project by the Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Honourable Nyasha Chikwinya.

Biogas energy refers to a mixture of gases produced by the breakdown of any organic matter. It is produced from readily available raw materials such as animal waste, human and recycled waste. It is a renewable energy source with no carbon footprint.

Speaking at the official launch of the Chivi Egg Production Project and the Biogas Digester, the Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Honourable Nyasha Chikwinya appealed to the relevant Government ministry to increase investment in sustainable energy sources like biogas so as to increase access in rural areas.

During the tour of the project, the ILO Director for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Ms Hopolang Phororo acknowledged that biogas as an alternative energy source, fulfils all the criteria relating to environmental sustainability, requiring relatively low technological input and being cost effective to implement.

The Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) of Chivi Central who attended the launch expressed concern that electricity access continues to be low and majority of the population in his constituency continue to rely on wood fuel which in turn leads to environmental degradation and health hazards.

Before the biogas digester was installed, the Chivi Egg Production Project beneficiaries used to travel long distances in search of firewood for cooking their afternoon meals when they are on duty. They used to buy paraffin for lamps used in the fowl runs during the night. Unfortunately, both the paraffin and the wood never lasted a full month, and the beneficiaries would spend some days without firewood and paraffin.

Today, they use the dung from their cattle to feed the biogas digester. The gas it produces is used for cooking, powering a deep freezer and lights for the fowl runs. As a result of the digester, the beneficiaries now have a deep freezer, fowl run lights and no longer travel long distances in search of fire wood. The refuse that emanates from the overflowing by-product is collected for use as garden manure.

“I didn’t know that biogas was less costly but when we installed one for our egg production project, the gains were enormous. As a group we never worry about firewood and candle costs anymore,’’ said Ratidzo Njari, leader of the biogas unit. “I must admit that it is costly at the initial stage. But once construction and connecting the pipes is done with, beneficiaries’ obligation is to ensure cow-dung is available to maintain the digester daily.’’

The beneficiaries acknowledged that cooking times have been reduced and cooking on biogas is healthier and more convenient because it does not produce toxic fumes that cause headaches, coughing, respiratory and eye problems. The women appreciated the increase in comfort arising from the use of biogas.

Background information

The Chivi Egg Production project under the Joint Programme for Gender Equality (JPGE) has allowed vulnerable women in Ward 11 of Chivi district to change their outlook and circumstances in life.

This has been achieved by providing the women with economic opportunities and building their capacity to participate and lead within the project site and their communities.

The Chivi Egg Production Project is the fifth ILO-led project in five districts of Zimbabwe under the UN Joint Programme on Gender Equality. The other projects in Gutu, Mutoko, Murehwa and Nyanga districts are engaged in horticulture growing green beans, butternuts, carrots, onions, leafy vegetables, potatoes and cabbages among them.

These projects are a result of a four year SIDA funded project with four priority areas of: promoting women’s security and combating gender-based violence; women’s political participation and influence; women’s economic empowerment and working conditions; and, national accountability on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Each of the four pillars is being led by different agents UNFPA, UNDP, ILO and UNWOMEN, respectively.