DESCRIPTION/CONTEXT :
The city of Mahajanga is found in the North West of Madagascar and it is connected to Antananarivo, the capital, by a paved road of 578 km. It is the third largest city (230 000 inhabitants) and second largest port in the country. It is characterized by a very mixed and increasingly growing population. Its main activities are trade and agriculture. Its socio-economic and health conditions are preoccupying:
epidemics of plague and cholera in 1999
2/3 of the population living below poverty line
average wages of 20 €/month
life expectancy of 42 years
Whereas 30 000 tons of household waste are produced every year, only 30 % of them are collected and discharged, hence increasing the health hazards for the population.
The project has the objective to develop a sustainable management system of household waste by producing an organic soil conditioner and other recycled products in the city of Mahajanga.
More specifically, the project envisages the emission reduction of greenhouse gases by diverting the organic waste from the traditional discharge which normally generates methane following an anaerobic fermentation process. An experimental campaign showed the importance of the organic fraction from the household waste in Mahajanga and the technical feasibility to prepare a natural fertilizer from it.
NEWS:
In 2009, our partner produced 900 tons of compost, with the aim of expanding this to produce and sell a 2 500 tons in 2010. The project has been recently validated by Bureau Veritas according to the Voluntary Carbon Standard.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS:
Production of a valuable organic fertilizer which will contribute to the rehabilitation of eroded soils and could be considered as an alternative to slash-and-burn practices. Furthermore, the use of chemical fertilizers whose production generates greenhouse gases will decrease.
Contribution to the improvement of health conditions of the city of Mahajanga, still recently affected by epidemics of plague and cholera.
Reduction of the amount of waste discharged and consequently increasing the lifespan of the current site.
Reduction of the annoying effects caused by a waste site poorly controlled (infections, human and animal diseases, fires, emissions of gases and airborne particles, landslides, groundwater pollution, etc.).
SOCIO-ECONOMICAL BENEFITS :
The project will support the creation of a small company (50 employees). Several of these jobs will be proposed to informal workers already operating at the waste dump. They will profit from better work conditions and a medical monitoring which will improve their health. They will have regular incomes.
The availability of organic fertilizers will be a factor of development of the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, activity frequently performed by women, which will contribute to the fight against gender inequality.
The local mechanical industry will be in charge of the construction of the equipment needed to process the waste therefore, supporting the sustainability of the project and the local economic activity.
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