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Sifelani Tsiko
Innovations Editor
Founder and head of Zim Earthworm Farms (ZEF), Dr Ephrem Enard Whingwiri, has died.
He was 74.
Dr Whingwiri was a leading figure in revolutionising Zimbabwe’s waste management and agriculture through innovative earthworm farming techniques.
According to a post on a ZEF social media group, Dr Whingwiri died on September 20.
Dr Atania Marongere, a close friend, said he would issue more details after consulting Dr Whingwiri’s family.
Dr Whingwiri popularised earthworm farming techniques to address environmental, food insecurity and climate change problems.
“Earthworms are a possible backbone of a green revolution. They decompose organic waste into a bio-fertiliser called vermicompost. This fertiliser is potent enough to enable plants to produce nutritious food,” he once remarked.
Dr Whingwiri was renowned for developing the Jati Decongester Sanitation System which treats wastewater and recycles it for use in flushing toilets and irrigation.
This technology offers an alternative to the use of septic tanks and Blair pit latrines.
Dr Whingwiri was born on January 25, 1950.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter