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Firm constructs 35 000cook stoves in Nkhata Bay

In a bid to tackle adverse effects of climate change, Ripple Africa, an international NGO, has intensified construction of Changu Changu Moto cook stove to households as a tool of reducing carbon effects.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO), which is operating in Nkhata Bay, Likoma, Nkhotakota and Mzimba, is offering the stoves to the communities for free. So far, 35 000 cook stoves have been constructed.

Changu cook stoves at Chintheche Hospital’s guardian shelter
Changu cook stoves at Chintheche Hospital’s guardian shelter

The cook stoves aim at curbing deforestation by reducing fuel wood usage at household level.

According to the organisation’s country manager Force Ngwira, their research in 2010 found that tree-planting alone cannot address deforestation as wood consumption is higher than replacement.

“We are targeting to reach over 42 000 households in Nkhata Bay alone,’’ said Ngwira, adding that deforestation in Nkhata Bay is taking place at an alarming rate requiring collective intervention.

“Biomass energy accounts for over 90 percent of Malawi’s primary energy consumption of which 37 percent is derived from customary forests. In aggregate terms, this represents clearing of over 50 000 hectares per year at national level, which is a great loss, that is why we introduced the Changu Changu Moto cook stove to reduce such dangerous environmental statistics,” he said.

A recent research conducted by the Department of Forestry through Malawi College of Forestry and Wildlife has found that Changu Changu Moto cook stove has the ability of reducing fuel wood usage by up to 67 percent at household level.

The project is expected to be rolled out nationwide, according to Ngwira.

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One Comment

  1. I do see how wood serving these stoves are, they seem to be consuming large and many trees branches. I can cook a meal for two with just a couple of them using ordarnary cooking place! a Force, mwangofuna nthito apa akulu, idyani ma dollars!

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