Improved Biomass Stoves in Rural Areas in Karnataka, India

Aims: the study aimed to quantify fuel wood consumption in traditional and biomass stoves as well asto estimate the Carbon dioxide (Co2) and carbon monoxide (Co) while cooking with different fuel wood.

Study Design: exploratory and experimental.

Place and Duration of Study: The duration of the Study was 2 years and the place of the study was Dharwad and Vijayapur districts of Karnataka state India.

Methodology: Keeping this in view a study was conducted in two villages namely Timmapur Village of Dharwad district and Bhaganager Village of Vijayapur district Karanarak State India. From each village 60 households were selected randomly thus total sample size comprises 120 rural women.

Results: About 80 per cent of the women were illiterate in Timmapur and 76.70 per cent of the women were illiterate in Bhaganagar. The quantity of ash, charcoal and smoke after food preparation was significantly varied in both villages. A reduction in the percentage of both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide was found in biomass stoves compared to traditional stoves. The experimental research revealed that 58 per cent of the fuel wood was saved per year per 100 families when compared to traditional stoves. Whereas the traditional stove consumes 1200 kg /month/100 families.

Conclusion: Improved biomass stoves should be promoted to encourage rural women to better use the stove.