The former IngénieuxSud Maragascar group has generously donated the funds raised for its 2020 to 2022 project, to enable Louvain Coopération's Madagascan team to continue the changes put in place.

IngénieuxSud is a project-course organised by Louvain Coopération and UCLouvain, which enables Belgian and southern students to work together on sustainable projects related to certain issues (agroecology, energy, etc.). The aim is to find technical solutions and apply them in the field.

Sophie, Delphine, Isabeau and Aurélien, four bioengineering students, took part in the project and formed the "Maragascar" group, tasked with working on groundnut waste.

Transformation of peanut residues into fuel

In Madagascar, growing groundnuts is of vital importance to rural households. However, when the crop is harvested, groundnut residues are thrown onto the roads and not recovered.

That's why Madagascar has been working to find the optimum method for converting these residues into biochar. The use of biochar and improved stoves also has the advantage of reducing the consumption of wood, the main driver of deforestation, as well as the health concerns associated with smoke emissions.

Fundraising and materials

To be able to finance their project, the Maragascar group had carried out various fundraising events in Belgium. They had also received a grant from ARES and had been able to finance a large part of their expenses in the field. These factors enabled the students to donate their harvest to Louvain Coopération for the continuation of the project. The donation will be used to buy a press, an essential piece of equipment for making biochar briquettes. Last week, they also had the opportunity to meet up with our Madagascan team, who were exceptionally present in Belgium, to discuss the project together.

More information about the IngénieuxSud project-course.