The aim of the study is to understand the socio-economic factors in selected rural communities of Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria that may affect adoption and utilization of efficient cookstove prior to introduction. The project targeted rural households located in the Guinea Savanna zone of Kwara State where charcoal production and firewood collection by households is highly predominant.
Women and girls are most responsible for the firewood collection in the communities. The firewood collections are carried out freely in the wild, twice a week and within the distance of 2 km to the communities. Firewood is mainly used for cooking in the communities. Charcoal was not used by household as much as firewood. Kerosene was only use to start firewood while none of the sampled people indicate the use of agricultural waste, electricity, cooking gas (Liquefied Natural Gas) and briquette for domestic cooking.Further interview revealed that firewood collection is difficult in the rainy season than dry season. However, firewood collection in the nearby forest is decreasing and the people have to travel farther distance to get the firewood.
Efficient Fuelwood Use as a Strategy to Reducing Household Pressure on Natural
Forests of Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria
On location of local cooking stoves (mainly three stones) in households, majority of the stoves are located in kitchen detached from the main building followed by those that have their stove in open space outside the house. Only a few of the households have their cooking stoves in the living room. This means that rain will affect some coming during rainy season and this will be considered during introduction of the improved cookstove to the people.
Almost all the sampled women agreed to change from their current three stones inefficient cookstove to improve and efficient cookstove proposed by the research team. However, the women preferred improved cookstove that is using firewood. The major reasons for this preference were affordability and free accessibility to firewood.
Virtually, all the sample women indicated their interest to participate in the second stage of the project which is on introduction of the improved cookstove to households