A holistic approach to energy access: Lessons from Mama Flavia's success
This week, SNV is participating in the Zambia Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) Days, setting the stage for crucial discussions on energising Zambia.
As we gear up for this dialogue, Sarah Alexander, SNV's Global Technical Advisor for Off-Grid Electrification, draws insights from the experiences of Mama Flavia, a biodigester owner from Zambia. Through Mama Flavia's journey, Sarah reflects on the imperative to move beyond binary discussions and prioritise advancing access to sustainable and renewable energy.
Meet Mama Flavia
During my recent visit to Zambia, I was lucky to meet the inspirational Mama Flavia, a first mover in purchasing a biodigester. She co-invested in a biodigester unit with SNV to improve her economic condition, finding herself in a difficult situation after her husband's sudden passing. Within six months, she immediately saw the benefits of slurry as an organic fertiliser, with significantly improved yields in her maise crops (almost double) compared to using chemicals, even improving its drought resistance. The excess slurry was then used upon advice from SNV to grow high-value orange trees that support soil quality, earning additional income from the sale of 1,000 fruits per year upon maturity—an extra advantage.
The main benefits, she claims, have been two-fold:
Improved fodder was introduced by SNV, a high-yielding grass variety with a high nutrition content that required less water. This, in turn, increased milk production by nearly 4-5x per day, earning her a significantly higher income through the dairy cooperative from the market.
Then there is the biogas; she no longer uses LPG (saving 150kw per month) and has shifted entirely to biogas for cooking in the last year. She is producing in excess and is thinking of ways to sell it. She uses the gas for poultry brooding (heating) every two months for about 300 chicks, which she then sells for supplemental income—another example of her innovative thinking.
Now, she wants to add more options to her renewable energy portfolio —solar irrigation, cold storage, artificial insemination, etc. Biodigesters were an entry point for her in this case.
What did it take for Mama Flavia to take these leaps?
Financial support
Agronomic advice/hands-on support
Technical advice/hands-on support for energy solutions
Connection to suppliers
Without these end-to-end interventions, there wouldn't have been this sort of multiplier effect. It's also given Mama Flavia the confidence to add other interventions and grow her business; now, she can plan for the future. This confidence was the most significant impact I observed - she was able to build safety nets, enabling her to think ahead.
Partners and stakeholders in the sustainability sector must adopt a holistic approach, particularly in developing markets. Relying solely on technology won't drive significant change. What's needed are cross-sector partnerships, appropriate financing for both companies and end users, and decisive policy action. While acknowledging the complexity and interconnectedness of these factors, it's imperative to embrace this holistic perspective to achieve lasting and sustainable change.
SNV at the DRE Days
John Otini Masinde, Sector Lead for AgriFood and Renewable Energy at SNV, will be part of the discussion during the DRE days in Zambia on 'Challenges and Opportunities for Investment in Zambia's DRE Sector: Perspectives from the Private Sector' that will take place:
When: April 12, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (GMT +2)
To register or for more details about this event, visit the event website.
