Dear Kim
Good question (you always have good questions). Can the community afford to buy fuel in the form of briquettes? Can the community afford to buy a stove? If you are willing to give out nearly free an improved stove, what will happen when they need replacement? It is basically about sustainability. If you have to buy the fuel, then it is a straight economic analysis - can the local consumer base support the producers? Improved stoves are needed no matter what. They can be very cheap. They can be suited to the fuel (which is of course ideal). Do you have bricks available? Clay? Metal? Cans from donated food? Oil drums? Car parts? The presence of a 'donor organisation' can be used to create a stove and localise its production. The fuel production system has to be self-sustaining long term which includes replacing the production equipment so they are essentially different in genesis and duration. Regards Crispin ++++++++ Question: a community in Africa, where woodfuel is in short supply, is considering starting a briquette program. (The area does have access to ag waste for briquette-making.) If cost is not an issue, should the community invest in briquette making technology or try distributing high efficiency cookstoves? Or both?
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