In the south of **Kyrgyzstan**, a new generation of homes is changing the paradigm of **sustainable construction**. Instead of conventional cement — expensive and water-intensive — houses are built with **bricks made from rice husks**, an abundant agricultural byproduct in the region of **Batken**, where one-third of the national harvest is produced.
The driving force behind this initiative is **Nursultan Taabaldyev**, a 27-year-old who developed the technology in his local workshop. “I started with sawdust, then with rice. We have already built more than 300 houses,” he told the AFP news agency.
## Recycled bricks that insulate and resist
The blocks contain:
– **60% rice husks**
– A mixture of **clay, cement**, and a **chemical-free adhesive**
– Natural silica, which provides **comparable strength to concrete**
The bricks are compressed, air-dried, and used in constructions that — according to users like **Akmatbek Uraimov** and **Ykhval Boriyeva** — are thermally efficient: “Our house stays warm in winter and cool in spring. We save coal and energy,” they commented.
[Thermal insulation](https://noticiasambientales.com/innovacion/c3-climate-change-clothing-ofrece-tecnologia-textil-para-el-confort-termico-y-adaptacion-climatica-laboral/) responds to the low conductivity of rice, allowing for **significant energy savings**, especially in arid regions and low-income areas, where the average salary is around **$230 per month**.
## Agricultural recycling against problematic waste
Rice husks are usually **discarded or burned**, causing environmental damage and the risk of fires in poorly ventilated barns. With this technology, their reuse is promoted to:
– **Reduce solid waste**
– **Decrease CO₂ emissions associated with cement** (around 8% globally)
– Avoid environmental problems affecting major producers like **India**, where **more than 31 million tons of husks are generated annually**.
## Innovation without structural risks
According to the **Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan**, buildings constructed with rice bricks **do not pose specific dangers**, and their durability is guaranteed by the silica content.
This assertion strengthens their adoption as an **alternative material for affordable housing**, especially in areas vulnerable to **climate change and water scarcity**.
## Regional projection and new materials
After validating his model in the country, Taabaldyev plans to **scale up production** and **export the technology**. “I want to go to Kazakhstan to make bricks with crushed cane and straw,” he anticipated, thus expanding the concept to other readily available agricultural residues.
Moreover, **studies conducted in China, India, and Spain** highlight the **economic and ecological advantages** of this type of material, providing scientific evidence to the model developed in Kyrgyzstan.
*Cover photo: Guliza Urustambek kyzy / AFP*
