THE IGIHOHO PROJECT ECO-FRIENDLY SEED BAGS MADE FROM BANANA BARKS

Red Rocks Initiatives
Publicado: 28 Febrero 2022
Última edición: 07 Noviembre 2022
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Summary

Rwanda’s ecosystems are increasingly at risk from climate change. Some of Rwanda’s land surface is estimated to be degraded because of soil erosion, salinization, pollution, and loss of vegetation or soil fertility. This is a result of factors including deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, overgrazing, uncontrolled mining activities, invasive alien species, and, increasingly, climate change.

Simultaneously, plastic waste continues to be a major challenge in the region. If not managed well, it contributes to environmental pollution impacting livelihoods and public health. It is in this regard that Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development initiated the idea of making eco-friendly seed bags made from banana barks due to the fact that it is illegal to import, produce, use or sell plastic bags and plastic packaging except within specific industries like hospitals and pharmaceuticals. 

Clasificaciones

Region
África Oriente y África del Sur
Scale of implementation
Multinacional
Ecosystem
Ecosistemas de pastizales
Pastizales templados, sabana, matorral
Theme
Mitigación del cambio climático
Species Conservation and One Health Interventions
Conservación genética
Challenges
Degradación de tierras y bosques
Pérdida de la biodiversidad
Pérdida de ecosistemas
Falta de acceso a financiación a largo plazo
Cambios en el contexto socio-cultural
Sustainable development goals
ODS 13 - Acción por el clima
Marco de Sendai
Meta 5: Incrementar el número de países con estrategias nacionales y locales para la reducción de riesgos para el 2020.
Business engagement approach
Compromiso directo con asociaciones
(I)NDC Submission
Red Rocks Initiatives

Ubicación

Musanze, Northern, Rwanda

Impacts

The project falls within the framework of environmental protection and soil conservation. Initially, we trained 20 women who have impacted over 200 other women through our monthly workshops at the center. Over the years, they produced over 15,000 seed bags, managing to sell over 70% of the igihoho seed bags to nursery bed businesses in the region. We employed 20 women of whom we had trained to make eco-friendly banana seed bags.

To ensure the sustainable use of the resource it is shown that there should be a benefit-sharing mechanism, which would also improve collaboration. Furthermore, most members of the communities are interested in participating in activities like peeling the banana barks, making the igihoho seed bags which they wish to showcase to tourists as a way of enhancing soil and environmental protection. The communities around Red Rocks need more education as to the areas in which they can participate in order to reduce poverty and ensure sustainable use of the biodegradable seed bag to educational institutions and beyond. We have long believed that helping local people is a crucial part of conservation and we have initiated major programs in education, training, health, and related areas in recent decades.

Contribuido por

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Gregory Bakunzi Red Rocks Initiatives for sustainable development