Naturekit trains youths on efficient cooking stoves construction

By Sosten Mpinganjira

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A Kasungu based environmental youth organization, Naturekit has underscored a need for consented efforts in the promotion of modern cooking technologies if the country is to mitigate and adapt to effects of climate change.

Naturekit Director Steven Makumba said this in an interview at the end of a one-day training on construction of efficient cooking stoves in the area of Traditional Authority Sichinga in Kasungu district.

According to Makumba, using efficiency cooking stoves has economic, environmental and social benefits as compared to the usual cooking methods.

“Through the efficiency cooking stoves, we will reduce pressure on our forests for firewood and charcoal which will in turn reduce deforestation. This initiative will also act as an adaptation and mitigation tool to climate change by helping in reducing Malawi’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“The efficiency cooking stoves will also assist in forest conservation, and the protection of natural forests which in turn will support the eco-systems and wildlife habitats, protect watersheds, reduce soil erosion and maintain rainfall,” said Makumba.

Makumba also said the mentored participants were equipped with hand tools to help in constructing of the efficient cooking stoves in 120 households in the district, an initiative which has already begun.

One of the beneficiaries of the efficient cooking stoves Mariam Abuja from T/A Chinsinga in Kasungu district said women are the ones who bear the burden of effects of climate change as compared to men.

Abuja said the stove will help conserve the environment as it uses less firewood.

“In our quest to fetch for the cooking energy, women face various challenges. We are thanking Naturekit for this initiative which will not only save our environment, but will also help us women not to face challenges we face when fetching for firewood,” said Abuja.

The training which was organized with financial support from Pollination Project targeted 50 people (30 women, 12 girls and eight boys).

The efficiency cooking stoves which uses few firewood is constructed using mud bricks. 

According to Malawi Renewable Energy Strategy (2017-22), 89% of Malawi’s total energy supply is biomass, most of which is unsustainably sourced resulting in widespread of deforestation.