Transforming Cactus into Bio-Gas and Food

In central Kenya, a group of women is addressing the invasive prickly pear cactus problem by turning it into biogas and other products. The cactus, introduced in Kenya in the early 1900s, has spread uncontrollably, disrupting the local ecosystem and hindering wildlife movement. Animals that consume the cactus can face digestive issues due to its small hairs.

The Iloplei Twala Cultural Manyatta Women Group, consisting of 203 members, has transformed this challenge into a sustainable enterprise. The women extract biogas from the cactus pulp, providing an alternative fuel source for both their homes and sale. This initiative not only combats the invasive species but also offers the women a new source of livelihood.

Rosemary Nenini, a member of the women’s group, explains that their collaboration is rooted in empowering Maasai women.The biogas project, along with selling cactus fruits and products like jams, generates income that supports education for their children.

The women use all parts of the cactus fruit, separating the edible portions from the spines. The Laikipia Permaculture, where the women collaborate, processes the fruits into various products, including cosmetics, shower gel, body lotion, juice, and jams.

Invasive cacti pose a significant threat to natural pastures, potentially invading over 70% of such areas, according to the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI). This invasion can reduce biodiversity and limit livestock access to pasture. Loisaba Conservancy, a wildlife habitat in northern Kenya, also grapples with the spread of invasive cacti facilitated by animals like elephants, baboons, guinea fowl, and tortoises. Traditional removal methods have proven ineffective, leading to the adoption of heavy machinery to uproot and dispose of the cactus.

The women of the Iloplei Twala Cultural Manyatta Women Group exemplify a community-driven solution that not only addresses environmental challenges but also creates economic opportunities and empowers women in the process.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Africanews}