Bush to Value Research Project launched at Witvlei (Agri Monitor)

The biomass industry, often viewed through the lens of waste management or energy production, holds the potential to become a cornerstone of environmental, social, and economic development in Namibia, according to the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG).

The Bush to Value (ButoVal) Research Project, officially launched on 11 March at Witvlei in the Omaheke Region, is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the adverse effects of bush encroachment in Namibia through sustainable biomass utilization. The project is being implemented by DHG-vertrieb and other partner organisations.

The ButoVal Research Project is according to N-BiG not just about improving the quality of biomass or enhancing technology — it is about creating a systemic shift that contributes to a circular economy, a framework designed to minimize waste and make the most of available resources.

"Rather than a traditional linear economy where we take, use, and dispose of materials, the circular economy seeks to close the loop. In return it seeks to strengthen Namibia’s economic resilience by transforming bush biomass into valuable resources, creating employment opportunities, and improving local livelihoods.