Along the Niger Delta, water hyacinths (水葫芦) are causing great environmental problems. Not only does the plant block waterways and cause problems for local fishermen, it also uses up nutrients (营养物) from the water, which in turn reduces fish populations. However, Nigerian businesswoman Achenyo Idachaba saw an opportunity in this challenge. She started harvesting these weeds and turning them into handcrafted products, creating an eco-friendly business.
The plants are harvested from local rivers and dried in the sun, which can take from four days to two weeks in the rainy season. Once dried, they are then made into the rope to weave products together.
In addition to creating beautiful woven handicrafts, Idachaba wanted to offer local communities skills and possible business ideas. She now works with eight communities, mostly in the Niger Delta, training and educating people to turn this water weed problem into rope for weaving products.
"We help them see the plant in a new way—as something that can become a source of income," she says. "After we help them with basic training, the rest is left up to their own creativity and we see them use the skills they have learnt to turn them into products that we've never even mentioned."
So far, Idachaba has mainly been selling her products online to customers in Nigeria. However, she hopes to take her business further. "We want to see ourselves as the number one maker of eco-friendly handicrafts. Our method not only fixes Nigeria's water hyacinth problem but also develops our business. That's how we create a win-win solution by turning Nigeria's water hyacinth trouble into a solution good for both the environment and our income."
1. What environmental problems are caused by water hyacinths in the Niger Delta region?
They block waterways, cause problems for local fishermen, use up nutrients from the water and reduce fish populations.
2. How should people deal with the plants before making them into handicrafts?
They should be harvested from local rivers and dried in the sun.
3. What is Idachaba's goal to work with local communities?
To offer local communities skills and possible business ideas.
4. Why can Idachaba's method be considered a win-win solution?
Because it not only fixes Nigeria's water hyacinth problem but also develops their business, being good for both the environment and income.
5. What can we learn from Idachaba?
We should see challenges as opportunities and try to create win-win solutions.
