By Fekadu Lema and Jorgelina Marino
The uncontrolled extraction of ‘charranfe’ bushes, dominant Afroalpine vegetation north of the Rift Valley, is degrading wolf habitat in several populations. Firewood collection, a task mostly performed by women and children, is as a result becoming more time consuming, increasingly occupying time available for other activities. It was with great excitement that last year we announced our ‘Fuel Saving Initiative’ to promote the use of MIRT® stoves, which consume half of the firewood required by traditional cooking methods.These stoves also cook faster, and reduce indoor air pollution.
Thanks to our efforts and with the support of GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation), these fuel-saving stoves are now being produced locally in two wolf areas. This followed a long process that involved choosing and training the producers, and the complex logistics involved in setting up their workshops. These entrepreneurs started to trade the stoves, and are targeting consumers on the fringes of the wolf areas. Simultaneously, EWCP is advertising the benefits of fuel-saving stoves in many local markets and schools with practical demonstrations, and organizing a system of subsidies to support buyers in target areas. After a very successful year, EWCP secured a grant extension from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Foundation to help more stove producers start up their businesses.
Photo: EWCP North Ethiopia team visited local markets in Delanta Sanka, Kimer Dingay and Mokesh to do practical demonstrations of the MIRT® stoves, handing out a specially designed brochure. EWCP Education and Outreach Officer Fekadu Lema, in the new project vehicle. ©EWCP