Lawrence Mutasa, feeding his biogas digester with cow dung mixed with water at his homestead in Mbire: Credit: John Cassim
John Cassim
In Mbire, as the day ends, familiar scenes emerge, women at boreholes, men collecting tiny logs for firewood. However, at Mr. Lawrence Mutasa’s homestead in Ward 17, the rhythm is distinct.
Upon arrival, this journalist observed Mr. Mutasa and his wife diligently working in their field. Despite the challenging conditions of agro-ecological region five, where rainfall is often scarce, their focus was on cultivation, not the typical tasks of fetching water or firewood.
The reason became clear thirty minutes later when Mr. Mutasa returned with fresh produce – green mealies, watermelons, and pumpkin leaves for their evening meal. He is among the ten villagers benefiting from the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) Phase 2 biogas pilot project, a development that has noticeably eased his daily life.
The Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund Phase 2 biogas project is administered by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and implemented by Utariri in Mbire.
Mr Mutasa’s wife demonstrates how the biogas stove work as she prepares to cook, green mealies. Credit: John Cassim
The dominant vegetation in this region includes mopane, acacia, and marula trees. However, extensive deforestation for firewood has led to the disappearance of mopane trees.
Villagers report that acacia and marula are not typically used for firewood, forcing them to travel nearly 30 kilometers to find suitable wood.
Recognizing this challenge, which kept men away from their homes for extended periods, the biogas project was introduced.
“Initially, the requirement was a large cattle herd to provide the daily three buckets of cow dung needed for the biogas digester,” Mr. Mutasa explained. “This necessitates a significant amount of dung in the kraal. Furthermore, starting the system required around 90 buckets of dung to fill the digester and allow it to activate over several weeks.”
Ward 17 has a population of 3,711 across 893 households. The biogas project selected 117 beneficiaries (85 male and 92 female).
The aim was to establish multiple biogas-equipped homesteads, enabling beneficiaries to share gas and train others in construction.
“I have benefited in various ways as I am no longer required to spend most of my time fetching firewood something that needs someone with scotch cart, I no longer need to employ someone to herd my cattle and goats as I can now do all this on my own,” Mr Mutasa added.
Further into the same ward, Shakeman Tauro (unrelated to the late renowned Zimbabwean footballer) shared his appreciation. His prior understanding of biogas energy’s advantages motivated him to volunteer at the project’s inception.
“Initially, we only needed to contribute our labor to dig the pits, with the understanding that we would help each other and eventually share the biogas,” Mr. Tauro explained. “However, some neighbors, lacking awareness of the benefits, chose not to continue. I am incredibly grateful, as this has freed up significant time for other essential tasks, rather than the arduous 30-kilometer trek for firewood.”
Mr. Tauro lamented the lack of alternative energy sources, which has contributed to the disappearance of mopane and other native trees in the past.
“The project supplied 22 bags of cement, welded reinforcement, and mesh wires. I then excavated a 4×4 meter pit, 1.7 meters deep, and provided three-quarter and quarry stones, as well as river and pit sand. The project also provided the construction expertise,” he detailed.
Meanwhile, Violet Makoto, the Information and Communications Manager at the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, commended the biogas initiative.
“Sustainable energy sources like these biogas projects are vital as they convert organic waste into energy, thereby reducing the pressure on firewood and charcoal. This transition is essential for conserving our indigenous forests, which are often severely impacted by fuelwood harvesting.
Such projects are designed to empower local communities by offering an alternative energy source that improves their quality of life. By involving communities in biogas production, we also encourage responsible waste management, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for forest conservation,” Ms. Makoto emphasized.
The second phase of the ZRBF aims to reach over 450,000 people across seven rural districts – Binga, Kariba, Mbire, Hurungwe, Mwenezi, Chiredzi, and Beitbridge – by 2028. These districts are located in the Mid-Zambezi area (Binga, Kariba, Hurungwe, and Mbire) and the Southeast Lowveld (Chiredzi, Mwenezi, and Beitbridge) and will be the focus of the program over the next four years.