Mariama Mamane, the founder and general manager of Jacigreen, said her foundation seeks to reach 500 households with biogas and more than a thousand farmers with organic fertilizer by 2021.<\/p>\n
The pilot Jacigreen tackles the problem of invasive water hyacinth plants chocking Burkina Faso\u2019s water supply. The invention of the 29-year-old environmental engineer cuts up water hyacinth, fermenting into a fertilizer and compost for farmers, called Jacigrow\u2014available in bottles of 250 ml, 0.5 litres, 1 litre and 5 litres.<\/p>\n
The by-product of the fertilizer is a gas, which Mamane\u2019s machine captures in blue plastic square bags, like the one she is trying to attach to the generator now, and converted into electricity for families who don\u2019t have a regular power supply.<\/p>\n
Mamane\u2019s fertilizer and biogas prototype is now complete. Now, she is working with families and farmers surrounding the\u00a0International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE),\u00a0where her biogas prototype is located, to test the fertilizer and biogas.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur aim is to provide solutions for families who do not have access to electricity and are using wood,\u201d she explains. \u201cBiogas can reduce deforestation and the encroachment of the desert into communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also aim to reach the maximum number of farmers to reduce chemical fertilizer use, building a resilient ecosystem and healthier products for consumers,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
By 2021, her vision is to reach 500 households with biogas and more than a thousand farmers with fertilizer. She is no stranger to determination\u2014it has got her where she is today.\u00a0\u201cWhen I won the Young Champions of the Earth prize for Africa, I faced so many challenges\u00a0in building my prototype\u00a0during this entrepreneurial adventure,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cTransforming my idea into a concrete solution required lot of research.\u00a0I ordered equipment from China and Germany because it isn\u2019t available locally. I found myself doing everything\u2014from masonry to plumbing\u2014to build this prototype.\u00a0But the prize gave me courage, and this has\u00a0been an unforgettable learning experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to persevere when something seems impossible. Pushing through these times helps you grow and gives you energy in your professional life. I encourage other girls and young women to push beyond their dreams, and they will achieve,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Mariama quickly envisioned what impact her prototype might have on society in rural areas, explaining that the value of biogas lies in its application in regions without electricity, and that the fertilizers reduce waste and boost agricultural production on small plots.<\/p>\n
Water hyacinth is one of the world\u2019s most invasive, resilient and harmful aquatic weeds.\u00a0Joakim Harlin,\u00a0Chief of UN Environment\u2019s Freshwater Unit, says that\u00a0combating infestations is\u00a0very difficult and requires a\u00a0freshwater ecosystems approach<\/a>, addressing land and water management to reduce the nutrient which feeds the weed.<\/p>\n \u201cUtilization of water hyacinth for commercial and subsistence purposes like the initiative Mariama has taken not only helps controlling the weed and protecting the environment but also converts a problem to a livelihood opportunity,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n Mariama said “To solve the problems the planet is facing, we must solve them through more commitment, more actions, and for that we must act now.”<\/p>\n “My solution is to turn this problem into an opportunity \u00a0for the Population. I turn water hyacinth into energy of all. This plant became invasive. We will use the plant in a process to produce organic fertilizers and electricity from biogas.”<\/p>\n “Our solution, the biological fertilizer, will boost agricultural production and thus, require less space for\u00a0 a bigger production.”<\/p>\n “Today, from this pilot we are able to cover the needs of more than twelve households and more than one hundred farmers will be able to use our fertilizers.”<\/p>\n “When I received the United Nations Environment Young Champions of the Earth Award in 2017, I had the courage to truly implement these solutions. This prize gave me the global visibility and allowed me today to finance my pilot phase.”<\/p>\n “My aim is to inspire other young women like me to fight for the future. I want to work and solve the big challenges of tomorrow, ” she concluded.<\/p>\n