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P A G E 5
V O L . 3 , N O . 3
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4
In November, DLC-SAVA Conservation hosted several representatives from the Swiss-based non-profit organiza-
tion
which has many branch
offices in Madagascar. They not only produce a variety of
solar ovens but produce the highest quality “rocket
stoves” in Madagascar since the strong metal housing
comes from Switzerland and the highest quality Madagas-
can clay from the Fianarantsoa region is used. Rocket
stoves (see diagram) are fuel-efficient stoves that use
much less charcoal or wood than traditional open fires or
locally made stoves. This not only eases logging for fuel-
wood and saves people money, but benefits human
health as well since smoke from cooking fires is a substan-
tial contributor to chronic respiratory disease. Green-
house gases which contribute directly to climate change,
such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, are
also heavily emitted from cooking fires (for more discussion and references see our February 2014 newsletter, page
4-5).
Previously, we had collaborated with Madagascar National Parks to replace all the stoves at the Marojejy Nation-
al Park campsites with ADES rocket stoves. These stoves were very popular with all Marojejy cooks who unani-
mously raved about how well these metal stoves retained heat and how much less charcoal was needed. More re-
cently, we have strived to introduce these stoves more widely
in the SAVA region. One challenge we face is that they must be
shipped by truck from Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo (a
two to three day drive, including a section of very bad road).
In November, we hosted several representatives from ADES
who arrived with 40 stoves. We held several public presenta-
tions in Andapa, Sambava and near Marojejy National Park,
and were quite surprised by the amount of public interest! All
40 stoves sold within two days and we received hundreds of
orders for more stoves by people willing to pay for them! We
buy the stoves from ADES but sell them at a reduced price to
make them more affordable for local residents. We found that
rural communities living near Marojejy mostly requested the
small wood-burning stoves but middle-class residents in the
cities of Sambava and Andapa were generally more interested
in the charcoal burning stoves of all sizes. The tremendous de-
mand for this product speaks to its quality and need, and we
are working on a plan to meet that demand in a sustainable
way.
Huge Interest in ADES Fuel-Efficient “Rocket” Stoves!
by Dr. Erik Patel
Rocket stove.
Courtesy of Wikipedia