By Stephen Klaber
All across Africa there are infestations large and small of Typha (cattails, Kachalla, bulrush) and Phragmites (reeds). They are clogging rivers and reservoirs and lakes and providing breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that carry malaria and several other pests.
The simple control of these plants would alleviate many troubles. They are both excellent sources of biomass for ethanol production. If grown in clean water and soil, Typha is also an excellent food source. Phragmites is too tough to eat – at least for primitive Indians and runaway boys.
Both have the nasty/useful habit of collecting pollutants, so not just any can be eaten, but most of what isn’t fit for human consumption can be made into either ethanol or charcoal. Some places they should be just eradicated, best financed by harvesting. Some places they should be kept as both a food and energy crop, as they grow on otherwise useless land. Some should just be kept wild to preserve diversity. But these plants need control and exploitation.