VITA/NRA/USAID, national woodstove program, cooperative agreement no. 649-0122-A-00-3027-00 : final report

The report, prepared by VITA, covers the period 5/83-1/86, with a focus on the period after the 12/84 amendment. The program has successfully addressed the issue of deforestation by educating the public and by designing fuel-conserving stoves. Of the five charcoal-burning and seven wood-burning stoves developed and lab-tested, one charcoal-burning soapstone stove and one wood-burning ceramic stove are in full-scale dissemination. The data used to design stove models and develop marketing strategies were drawn from VITA"s fuel consumption and cooking practices survey; this survey, the first of its kind conducted in Somalia, demonstrated the need for further public education about the extent of the deforestation problem. Initial reactions to the stoves in field testing and pilot dissemination were favorable with regard to fuel savings - which have ranged between 20% and 40%. Reactions were negative, however, regarding product quality, as stove fabrication technology had not yet caught up with fuel-saving design changes. As a result, two UNICEF stove consultants were hired to train potters, artisans, and staff in stove fabrication techniques, quality control, and the construction and use of kilns. Following these changes, the Cooperative of Dayax (El-Bur) began mass production of improved soapsone stoves, using measurements and templates to maintain critical dimensions and also maintaining strict quality control. As result of the program, potters have begun to fire their stoves in kilns instead of the traditional open fires, resulting in a better quality stove. The program also strengthened traditional marketing systems by increasing the consumer orientation of marketing efforts. Quantitatively, the program surpassed objectives in all major areas. VITA turned the project over to Somali managers in 1/86. (Author abstract, modified)