How An Orange Peel Could Solve South Africa’s Drought Crisis

''South Africa is currently in the midst of the worst drought it has experienced in recorded history, which is having a devastating effect on many of the provinces. The lack of water has resulted in severely damaged crops on farms, which means there is not enough food to sustain the nation. The damage could cost South Africa around $1 billion.

An amazing invention that will increase food security everywhere

16 year old Kiara Nirghin, from South Africa, has invented a polymer with the capability to retain huge reserves of water and which will help sustain crops in drought affected areas. This polymer, which has the added benefits of being biodegradable and made from waste products from the juice industry, absorbs water and retains soil moisture. In the future this could mean crops are much better equipped to survive in droughts.Kiara has won the Google Science Fair's Community Impact Award for the Middle East and Africa with this groundbreaking invention...''

by COURTNEY HARDWICK