Renewable energy: An innovative rural energy solution for Mali, with help from the carbon market

Niono District has faced a serious fuel scarcity problem for decades. Its large and rapidly growing population has been attracted by profitable rice production, which is irrigated via a complex of canals. Both fuels are needed to meet the needs of Niono's rural population, who rely primarily on woodfuel but also use charcoal to meet certain needs, such as preparing tea. Typha is a huge threat to local agriculture, but also offers an abundant local source of biomass. A recent government census found that the waterways criss-crossing Niono District are almost wholly infested with typha weed. Rice husks are also readily available, since a number of rice husking mills are located within several kilometers of the AFOVERT factory, which taken together are estimated to generate well over 10,000 tons of rice husks each year.