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Achenyo Idachaba: How I turned a deadly plant into a thriving business | TED
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Achenyo Idachaba: How I turned a deadly plant into a thriving business | TED

Welcome to Bayeku, a riverine community in Ikorodu, Lagos

This section introduces the community of Bayeku and highlights the challenges faced by riverine communities in Nigeria due to the invasive aquatic weed known as water hyacinth.

The Impact of Water Hyacinth on Riverine Communities

  • Water hyacinth has infested the waterways of riverine communities across Nigeria, causing significant economic and livelihood challenges.
  • Fishing, marine transportation, and trading have been hampered by the presence of water hyacinth.
  • Fish yields have diminished, and schoolchildren are unable to attend school for extended periods due to the weed's impact.

The Significance of Names Associated with Water Hyacinth

This section explores the various names given to water hyacinth in different regions of Nigeria and their historical associations.

Names Associated with Historical Events and Myths

  • In Nigeria, water hyacinth is known by different names associated with historical events or myths.
  • Some communities refer to it as Babangida, evoking memories of military coups and fear.
  • In parts of the Niger Delta, it is called Abiola, reminding people of annulled elections and dashed hopes.
  • In southwestern Nigeria, it is known as Gbe'borun, meaning "gossip" or "talebearer," symbolizing rapid reproduction and destruction.
  • In Igala-speaking regions, it is called A Kp'iye Kp'oma or "death to mother and child," reflecting its negative impact.

Personal Encounter with Water Hyacinth

The speaker shares her personal experience encountering water hyacinth in 2009 after relocating from the US to Nigeria.

A Life-Changing Moment

  • After quitting her job in corporate America, the speaker felt a deep conviction to contribute to sustainable development in Nigeria.
  • In 2009, while on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, she witnessed fishing boats trapped by dense mats of water hyacinth.
  • This sight sparked her determination to find a solution that would benefit both the environment and impacted communities.

Turning Adversity into Prosperity

The speaker discusses her approach to addressing the water hyacinth problem by utilizing its beneficial uses and transforming it into handicrafts.

Three Steps to a Solution

  • Harvesting water hyacinth from the waterways creates access and clears the weed.
  • Drying the water hyacinth stems prepares them for weaving.
  • Weaving the dried stems into products provides an economic benefit for communities affected by the infestation.

Learning How to Weave

The speaker shares her journey of learning how to weave water hyacinth stems into ropes and collaborating with local artisans.

Seeking Knowledge and Partnerships

  • As a computer scientist without creative arts skills, she sought out individuals who could teach her how to weave water hyacinth stems.
  • She visited a community called Sabo in Ibadan, predominantly inhabited by people from northern Nigeria.
  • With assistance from children as translators, she learned how to transform dried water hyacinth stems into long ropes.
  • Collaborating with rattan basket makers, she began creating products using these ropes.

Transforming Adversity into Prosperity

The speaker highlights how weaving water hyacinth into products can change perceptions and improve livelihoods in riverine communities.

Changing Perceptions and Livelihoods

  • By weaving water hyacinth into various products such as pens, tableware, purses, and tissue boxes, communities can see the weed as valuable, aesthetic, durable, tough, and resilient.
  • The names associated with water hyacinth in different regions are transformed to reflect positive attributes and benefits.
  • The speaker aims to empower communities by helping them turn adversity into prosperity through the utilization of water hyacinth.

Closing Remarks

The speaker concludes with a quote emphasizing the importance of listening to stories to understand a culture.

Understanding Culture Through Stories

  • Michael Margolis's quote highlights the significance of stories in gaining insights into different cultures.

Timestamps may vary slightly due to differences in video versions or edits.

Channel: TED
Video description

The water hyacinth may look like a harmless, even beautiful flowering plant — but it's actually an invasive aquatic weed that clogs waterways, stopping trade, interrupting schooling and disrupting everyday life. In this scourge, green entrepreneur Achenyo Idachaba saw opportunity. Follow her journey as she turns weeds into woven wonders. Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know. Become a TED Member: http://ted.com/membership Follow TED on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TEDTalks Like TED on Facebook: http://facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: http://youtube.com/TED TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization/our-policies-terms/ted-talks-usage-policy). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com