A discrete choice experiment to measure the Malawian potential market for Baobab fruit shell briquettes: Evidence from consumer preferences in Mzuzu City

Abstract

Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, is mainly dependent on wood biomass for its energy supply. This biomass, in most cases, is procured in an unsustainable manner, such as from the country's dwindling natural forests. Under these circumstances, there is an urgent need to develop more environmentally friendly and reliable energy sources. Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit shell, a waste product of baobab fruit pulp processing, has high lignin and cellulose contents with a good heating value. The main objective of this work is to determine the product characteristics desired by urban consumers of a substitute for firewood and charcoal. Using a discrete choice experiment, our work analyzes consumer preferences for Baobab fruit shell briquettes in Mzuzu City, as a potential alternative to current fuel sources for cooking and heating. A questionnaire divided into 3 parts was used to collect primary data from 203 consumers of fuelwood and/or charcoal. Apart from choice sets, respondents answered questions related to procurement issues of fuel sources, their relation to Baobab trees, and socioeconomic conditions. The results show that a higher willingness to pay is attached to the products with lower smoke formation, exclusion of children's help for procurement, and extensive time intervals for procurement needs.