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Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) last week commissioned its first biogas digester in Insukamini area in Lower Gweru.
The construction of the digester began last year afterEnvironment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri donated 300 bags of cement towards its construction.
EMA district environmental officer Mr Timothy Nyoka said they are planned to construct more biogas digesters in the province.
“We are happy that we finally commissioned our first biogas digester in Lower Gweru,” he said.
“Biogas digesters are common in schools and hospitals, so we decided to introduce the concept to rural communities.”
Mr Nyoka said biogas digesters were meant to curb deforestation in rural areas. “Most rural areas rely on firewood, which causes deforestation, so this project is aimed at encouraging rural folk to use biogas digesters instead of firewood for cooking purposes,” said Mr Nyoka.
“We are identifying households where we are putting up these digesters so that the villagers can construct their own using the model digester.”
Mr Nyoka said EMA was also training youths in constructing the digesters.
Online Reporter