Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

SATREPS : Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (Japan)

Titre : Eco-engineering for Agricultural Revitalization Towards improvement of Human nutrition (EARTH) : Water Hyacinth to Energy and Agricultural Crops

Pays : Ethiopia

Date/Durée : 2020 5 years

Partenaires
Japon : Soka University / The University of Shiga Prefecture / Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute
Ethiopie : Bahir Dar University / Injibara University / Lake Tana and Other Water bodies Protection and Development Agency

Descriptif
Development of technologies for converting water hyacinth to energy, nutrients and agricultural products

Utilizing remote sensing and AI technology, the project will develop a sustainable harvesting model for water hyacinth, which is partly choking Ethiopia’s largest lake, Lake Tana. The aim is to use methane fermentation treatment to recover energy and nutrients from the harvested water hyacinth, use the recovered energy and nutrients for mass cultivation of microalgae (spirulina) that are attracting attention as a superfood, and develop nutritional supplements derived from spirulina together with local companies. Integrating interdisciplinary research conducted in Japan, we will work to establish technologies for the effective utilization of waste materials as valuable resources.

Help improve health and nutrition in Ethiopia to address the wide-ranging issue of “hidden hunger”

We aim to build a sustainable water hyacinth management system using ICT, providing a model for approaches using water hyacinth to eventually solve ecosystem and social problems. In addition, the development of spirulina-derived dietary supplements and adoption of such supplements in Ethiopia will help to alleviate the country’s health and nutrition problems.

SATREPS