NAME
Vasco Salvador Cossa
TITLE
Founder, Green Poultry Farm Mozambique
LOCATION
Maputo, Mozambique
ABOUT
Vasco Salvador Cossa is the founder of Green Poultry Farm Mozambique, a climate action initiative that addresses environmental challenges linked to poultry waste management in Mozambique. His project focuses on transforming poultry waste into valuable by-products such as biogas and biofertilizers, promoting a circular economy within the agricultural sector. By working closely with poultry farmers and the local farming community in Maputo, Vasco aims to reduce waste-related environmental impacts while simultaneously creating sustainable energy and enhancing soil health with natural fertilizers.
MOTIVATIONS
“My journey towards founding Green Poultry Farm Mozambique began with a deep-rooted passion for sustainability and a desire to address pressing environmental challenges in my home country, Mozambique. Growing up in an urban community, I saw struggles that small-scale farmers face, including issues related to waste management and soil fertility. It became clear to me that these challenges were not only affecting farmers’ livelihoods but also contributing to broader environmental problems, such as soil degradation and water and air pollution.
The turning point came when I pursued my degree in physics, from Eduardo Mondlane University, specializing in renewable energy systems and technologies. During my studies, I became fascinated by the potential of renewable energy to drive sustainable development, particularly in underserved communities. I realized that the agricultural sector, especially poultry farming, presented a significant opportunity to combine waste management with energy production in a way that could create a circular economy.
Poultry farming is one of the fastest-growing agricultural activities in Mozambique, but it also generates large amounts of waste. I noticed that this waste was often improperly disposed of, leading to negative environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions and water contamination. I saw an opportunity to turn this challenge into a solution by converting poultry waste into biogas and biofertilizers, providing sustainable energy and improving soil health simultaneously.
My motivation is driven by the belief that addressing environmental issues requires working closely with communities to design practical and inclusive solutions. Green Poultry Farm Mozambique reflects this philosophy by not only tackling waste-related challenges but also empowering local farmers through training and collaboration, ensuring that they benefit directly from the sustainable practices we promote.”
IMPACTS
Before
While challenges persist, before the Green Poultry Farm Mozambique initiative, poultry farms in Maputo faced several challenges:
After
Since the launch of Green Poultry Farm Mozambique, the initiative has resulted in several improvements:
CHALLENGES
Vasco has faced several challenges in leading Green Poultry Farm Mozambique:
GOALS
“Our vision is to become a leading force in sustainable organic waste management across Mozambique and beyond. Our next steps involve scaling up our operations to reach more poultry farms and local communities, promoting the adoption of biogas and biofertilizer technologies throughout the agricultural sector. We aim to establish a network of decentralized waste processing hubs across the country, where farmers can bring their waste and receive affordable, high-quality biofertilizers and energy solutions in return.
To overcome ongoing challenges, such as limited infrastructure and access to financing, we are focused on building strong partnerships with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. We aim to advocate for policy changes that support waste-to-energy initiatives and seek investment to expand our reach and improve the scalability of our solutions.”
VASCO’S ADVICE
“For farmers and entrepreneurs looking to transform agricultural waste into valuable resources, my advice is to start by thoroughly understanding the local context and the needs of the community. Waste management solutions should be tailored to the specific types of waste produced and the capabilities of the local infrastructure. Collaboration is key – partner with researchers, NGOs, and other businesses to leverage shared knowledge and resources.
Invest in training and capacity-building programmes to empower the community and ensure sustainable practices are maintained over the long term. Finally, stay committed to innovation; always be open to new ideas and technologies that can enhance the effectiveness of your approach.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Green Poultry Farm Mozambique is pioneering sustainable solutions by converting poultry waste into clean energy and biofertilizers. Here’s how you can support Vasco’s mission:
For businesses and investors:
For NGOs and policymakers:
For individuals and donors:
CONTACT
Image: Vasco’s team in action
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