By Rubina Obaid
Tanzania has already developed “The Matawi” stove in one model and submitted for testing to TBS. Both firewood and charcoal can be used in the stove depending upon the preference and convenience of the user.
Pollution is considered one of the major reasons for higher death rates in the COVID 19 pandemic. People are more vulnerable in the areas where the pollution level is higher as compared to the less polluted areas. According to the latest research, it is revealed that inefficient cooking stoves substantially contribute to polluting the environment. Tanzania Renewable Energy Association in cooperation with Netherland development organizations brought their efforts mutually to introduce biomass cook stove standards. Hassan Bussiga, Project Manager of the Energizing Development Cooking Program and Executive Secretary at TAREA, Matthew Matimbwi explained the standards and associated benefits. The standard mainly ensures a high level of performance in stove burning fuel along with making it an environmentally friendly option as compared to conventional stoves. Standards have further promoted the reduction of the fuel used for burning along with increasing the efficiency of the appliance used for cooking.
These biomass standards are useful in defining quality, minimum requirement, and providing recognized solutions for the protection of the environment, consumer’s health, and safety. As the cooking subsector is having a profusion of substandard products that are extremely dangerous for the climate as well as individuals directly exposed in the cooking activity. If improved cook stoves (ICS) standards are properly disseminated among producers, project implementers and eventually enforced to be implemented practically will bring constructive change for an improved environment. These standards will greatly contribute to creating awareness and acceptance for the efficient usage of solid biomass in cooperation with quality cooking appliances and respective fuel will be distributed to the end-users. “It is high time to promote the stove and fuel manufacturers to adopt the standards and use them,” added Bussiga.
EnDev with SNV Tanzania has already developed “The Matawi” stove in one model and submitted it for testing to TBS. Both firewood and charcoal can be used in the stove depending upon the preference and convenience of the user. According to the laboratory testing results, it has been revealed that the Matawi stove has increased the efficiency of fuel consumption by 35%. This standard promotes a reduced amount of fuel burned and improved heat conservation and offers energy-efficient cooking. This will substantially reduce greenhouse gas and particulate matter emission along with increasing fuel-burning efficiency. Successful wide-scale production of fuel-efficient stoves is only possible by dissemination of devised standards among producers and further providing continuous support for having greater participation from small scale producers and private sector manufacturers.
Financial problems among stove producers are one of the major hurdles that need to be addressed by the government for smooth production. The majority of the people in Tanzania are dependent upon biomass and firewood is most commonly used for cooking purposes in rural areas whereas charcoal is the most common fuel for urban and peri-urban areas. Inefficient cook stoves and fuels may cause severe consequences including death due to excessive indoor pollution. Hence, the sector of improved stove helped in also creating plenty of job opportunities in the market and generating income for the country’s economy, and in turn, will benefit the government through the improved taxation system.
Reference links:
https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/supplement/5043016-5573994-4kf3tnz/index.html
