Biomass industry going from strength to strength

Namibia's biomass industry is flourishing and innovative. This is more than just land restoration. It’s a story of adaptation, sustainability and community-driven innovation.Namibia has faced challenges with inconsistent biomass assessment, leading to unsustainable harvesting practices. To address this, the Biomass Quantification Tool (BQT) was developed, providing standardised assessments to support sustainable bush control and inform policy.Building on this, the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG), in collaboration with the Bundesverband Bioenergie e.V. (BBE) through Sequa and funded by BMZ, has partnered with the University of Göttingen, OGF GmbH, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and Fly Lab Namibia to launch a cutting-edge initiative in Digital Biomass Quantification.Using advanced aerial and ground-based laser scanning technology, the project aims to develop a more accurate and efficient method for biomass assessment, offering a potential alternative to the current BQT.A field data collection experiment is already underway at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), with analysis set to follow. If successful, this innovation could transform biomass monitoring in Namibia, driving more sustainable land management practices.Tackling bush encroachmentAt Okamatapati farmers are turning a crisis into opportunity.Chief Ruben Uazukuani remembers a time when the land around Okamatapati was open savanna, rich with grasslands. Today, dense and thorny bushes have taken over, making it difficult for livestock to graze - a direct result of bush encroachment, worsened by climate change and decades of overgrazing.However, what was once seen as a major threat is now being turned into a valuable resource.Through the Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation Project, supported by the GIZ in partnership with the Namibian government, farmers like Uazukuani are transforming invasive bush into nutrient-rich animal feed. This innovative approach not only sustains livestock through drought periods but also creates local employment and strengthens the resilience of small-scale farms.With over 45 million hectares of land affected, Namibia is taking bold steps to manage bush encroachment while unlocking new economic opportunities, including renewable energy, biochar and sustainable building materials.

Biomass industry going from strength to strength

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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Biomass industry going from strength to strength

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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