Maqhina Biogas Project is located in the Kezi Communal Area in Matebeland South.The project is intended to reduce massive tree cutting through the provision of biogas to the community.Maqhina village faces desertification as it now lies in a semi -arid area ,with few or no trees in some cases .The community is heavily depended on wood for cooking and also for fencing their homes , gardens and fields.

The objectives of the project are as follows.
-to introduce energy innovations which will achieve global environmental benefits of biodiversity conservation and combat climate change.
-to reduce the rate of deforestation and desrtification in Matobo district.
-to reduce the burden of fetching firewood on women by providing an alternative energy supply.
-to provide a cheaper and renewable energy source for cooking, heating and lighting which is environmentally friendly.
-to expose rural dwellers to biogas technology
-to empower the community and buildits capacity to identify ,implement and monitor their activities.
-to increase local level awareness on environmental problems they are facing and measures they can undertake to rectify these problems.

The project participants are the members of the Maqhina group and members of the Sizinda,Mutotobi,Nxazi and Gwaze villages.

Project activities.
-mobilization of the community to get prepared for the project
-training of the community in environmental management and natural resources
-construction of the biogas digestors
-installation of the digestors

Project Results
-the project is designed to improve biodiversity conservation and combat climate change.
-reduction in deforestation and desertification
-improved standard of living for the locals
-the project will also build the capacity for the Maqhina community to manage their project
-the biogas innovation will help to reduce the workload on women since they are mainly responsible for firewood collection.