Many studies have indicated that traditional cooking stoves are inefficient and their use leads to the acceleration of deforestation, the decline of land productivity, subsequently triggering climate changes and human...Many studies have indicated that traditional cooking stoves are inefficient and their use leads to the acceleration of deforestation, the decline of land productivity, subsequently triggering climate changes and human health problems. On the other hand, the introduced "improved cooking stoves" also have their own disadvantages. Therefore, the case study was conducted aiming to study the rationale of using traditional stoves and document the innovative biomass energy saving practices of the community. The research studied two pilot areas in rural community with different agro-ecology and farming systems. Moreover, individual and focus group discussions were conducted among women households using transect and random sampling. The f'mdings indicate that use of traditional stoves is dominant practice due to flexibility, simplicity and multi-functionality. Moreover, the biomass fuel use is integral part of the fanning system, socio-cultural framework and habits and customs of local community. The study has documented local innovation practices of biomass energy saving by improving stoves and chimney, combining different crops in food cooking, improving local beer processing, shifting crop-land to woodland. Moreover, the study reveals that the enclosure of communal forests due to the modem extension services is attributed with long distance travel to collect fuel wood, leading to conflicts and declines livelihood diversity of the poor population. Hence, consideration of local initiatives in development of appropriate and sustainable technology is essential.展开更多
文摘Many studies have indicated that traditional cooking stoves are inefficient and their use leads to the acceleration of deforestation, the decline of land productivity, subsequently triggering climate changes and human health problems. On the other hand, the introduced "improved cooking stoves" also have their own disadvantages. Therefore, the case study was conducted aiming to study the rationale of using traditional stoves and document the innovative biomass energy saving practices of the community. The research studied two pilot areas in rural community with different agro-ecology and farming systems. Moreover, individual and focus group discussions were conducted among women households using transect and random sampling. The f'mdings indicate that use of traditional stoves is dominant practice due to flexibility, simplicity and multi-functionality. Moreover, the biomass fuel use is integral part of the fanning system, socio-cultural framework and habits and customs of local community. The study has documented local innovation practices of biomass energy saving by improving stoves and chimney, combining different crops in food cooking, improving local beer processing, shifting crop-land to woodland. Moreover, the study reveals that the enclosure of communal forests due to the modem extension services is attributed with long distance travel to collect fuel wood, leading to conflicts and declines livelihood diversity of the poor population. Hence, consideration of local initiatives in development of appropriate and sustainable technology is essential.