Introduction to the Ziko Charcoal Stoves

Worldwide there are now hundreds of different types of improved stoves which are used by poor communities because of the widely recognized benefits to their use. Each reflects the particular preferences of the societies in which they are used.

In Zambia an improved stove has been developed to suit local people while offering benefits in terms of fuel and smoke reduction. The Ziko is a portable stove made of reinforced ceramic, it has a liner made of fired clay encased in metal with an insulating material between the inner and outer ‘skin’.

The Ziko provides a cost effective and fuel efficient alternative to traditional cooking methods, with an efficiency of between 30-50% (the traditional three stone fire offers 10% efficiency). Therefore much less charcoal is needed to cook the same amount of food. Families on low incomes reap direct benefits in fuel cost saving.

Our Proposal

Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation as a pan-African training institution is aware of the serious nature of deforestation in Zambia and is committed to demonstrate it's commitment practically.

MEF has an interest in both contributing to conservation of forests while simultaneously empowering members of the local community. It has a long history of offering training to local people who are enabled to more effectively sustain themselves and raise their standard of living. Our proposal is to provide training in the production of Ziko stoves.

Fortuitously all the resources necessary to this project are already available at MEF (and only at MEF) and only minor adjustments need to be made to allow local people to acquire the skills needed to produce and sell Ziko stoves.

With such a training course the Ziko stove can be made available to the local community. A considerable contribution can be made to the lives of ordinary people, economically, in terms of health for families and lastly to the environment of Zambia.

Background Information

Zambia like much of sub-Saharan Africa is facing the gradual, steady deforestation. The use of Ziko stoves will help slow down deforestation and reduce fuel costs for families because it uses less charcoal than the traditional mbaula.

Each year in Zambia 350 hectares (700 acres) of forest are lost. A significant amount of this deforestation is attributable to charcoal production. Charcoal remains the biomass fuel of choice where electricity is not available. It is preferred too in urban areas as wood is much more expensive to transport into towns because it’s heavier and bulkier.

In addition, the Ziko stove produces less smoke; there are many reports which demonstrate that the smoke created by open fires has a detrimental effect on the health of women cooking and the children who they carry.

The Ziko stove that has been developed, is fitted for the Zambian market and incorporates those features that Zambians prefer. Indeed research shows that this ‘fit for society’ is exactly what is required in improved stove development if the local population is to adopt it readily.

There is a direct relationship between charcoal production and it’s effects on the ecological environment in Zambia. Charcoal making contributes to deforestation and therefore by reducing the quantity of charcoal used in cooking the demand will reduce thereby making a positive contribution to preserving forest trees.

Notes:

The research referred to here on the benefits of biomass stoves (brazier) is largely drawn from that carried out by the British Charity ‘Intermediate Technology’.