Bolero farmers in renewable energy project
The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) is supporting farmers from Bolero in Rumphi in producing biogas from cow dung and use of gas stoves to mitigate effects of climate change.
Speaking during a field day at Bolero, Luanar programmes coordinator Andy Safalawo said the project, which is in its pilot phase, will help in curbing deforestation.
He said Luanar noticed that cow dung was not put to its maximum use.
“We noticed that cow dung was only used as organic fertiliser. So, we came here and introduced the biogas plants,” he explained.
Safalawo said the clean energy plants, which cost about K500 000 each, are also saving women from firewood headaches.
He asked government to subsidise the plant though Constituency Development Fund to enable many farmers to afford it.
“We are now encouraging farmers to also put in their resources as a group and share the gas,” said Safalawo.
Chief Kawazamawe, a beneficiary of the project, said while people in his area are eager to take part in the project, his concern was finances.
“The only challenge we have is finances. But we believe that by next year, most of us will join,” he said.
Currently, three households are benefitting from the Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change (Cabmacc) in Malawi project. n
