Adoption of improved stoves and deforestation in Zanzibar

The study is specifically aimed at understanding the extent of fuel wood consumption for cooking and the adoption of improved charcoal stoves as a policy option toward reducing the consumption of fuel wood in urban sectors.

Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected by use of structured questionnaires, interviews and direct field observation. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data. Based on the research plan, a total of 120 individual households were randomly selected and interviewed.

The results of the analysis suggested that the majority of people still cook using traditional stoves which consume a great deal of wood to the extent of deteriorating forest resources. Since conventional fuels remain remote for the majority, improved charcoal stoves are perceived as a real option for reducing consumption of wood fuel in urban area and thus arresting the rate of deforestation. However, this can only be realized if the improved charcoal stoves are widely adopted within social systems. Adoption itself results from a series of individual or any unit of adoption to begin using the new stoves. Poor quality of the improved stoves, costs, information and education about the stoves are major factors for the failure to adopt improved charcoal stoves in urban Zanzibar.

The need to revive improved charcoal stoves programs and exploration of alternative sources of energy have been recommended in order to reduce the pressure over forest resources induced by the great demand for fuel wood in urban Zanzibar.