Thailand- they have a factory making rope and furniture
from the stems of the plants.They burn the plant and make soap using the
ashes. Water hyacinth briquettes are made.They grow tomato crops on top
of a type of water hyacinth raft. (land is very scarce in this area)
Uganda- In Luzira Maximum Security prison all meals are
cooked from the biogas that is given off from a digester plant using water
hyacinth and cow dung. The prisoners weave sleeping mats from the plant.
Florida - they lead the way with using sterilised water
hyacinth mulch as a compost for growing mushrooms on. The yield of
mushrooms is excellent and as this is a good food source it should be
seriously investigated.
Java, Philippines and Formosa - the flowers, leaves and
petioles are eaten as a vegetable.
The leaves produce a rich compost on which food gardens can be
established.
It can be ploughed straight into the land as a mulch. It has a
high water content so keeps the soil moist. It also has a high
nitrogen content.
The roots are effective in water purification.
Burning dried water hyacinth as a fuel.
Mushrooms can be grown on sterilised chopped up water hyacinth
mulch. This is being done in Zimbabwe at HIV/Aids orphanages in an
attempt to supplement the children's diet with mushrooms.
