adminLawrence Chitumba Correspondent
OUTGOING Zimbabwe Youth Council Mashonaland Central provincial board chairperson Mr Josphat Nyika has come up with an innovative idea to convert organic waste into protein-rich stock feed for poultry, fish and pigs. Mr Nyika is among 15 young entrepreneurs from around the country who received a green innovation grant of US$5 000 each to implement their ideas under the Green Innovation Hub Facility Phase II project.
The invention coincides with the launch of the national clean-up campaign by President Mnangagwa and Government’s call on youths to be innovative and create employment through recycling waste materials into finished products, which can be sold to generate income.
In an interview after receiving the grant recently, Mr Nyika said Chipadze Market was the biggest vegetable market, not only in Bindura town, but in the whole of Mashonaland Central and keeping it clean would reduce outbreaks of diseases like cholera and typhoid.
“The competition requires that youths identify an environmental problem in their communities and proffer a solution that is environmentally friendly,” he said.
“As such, I identified that organic waste that is being dumped at Chipadze Vegetable Market produces greenhouse gasses as it decomposes.
“The gasses affect the ozone layer, triggering climate change
“Also by keeping the market place clean we will reduce outbreaks of diseases like cholera and typhoid.
“The solution I identified is to use the decaying waste to feed black soldier flies to produce maggots that will be used to make protein-rich stock feed for poultry, fish and pigs.”
Mr Nyika said it was high time other youths in the province create employment for themselves and generations to come through bringing in innovative ideas, adding that they should take centre stage in the economic revival of the country as chief players.
Online Reporter